Table 2.
Descriptive statistics for a consecutive 48-h observational study of 84 drinking events from 4 lactating, tie-stall housed Holstein cows with ad libitum feed and water access 1,2,3.
| Parameter | Mean ± SD |
|---|---|
| Volume of water consumed per drinking event, L | 0.27 ± 0.31 |
| Water temperature before drinking event, °C | 3.63 ± 3.14 |
| Reticulorumen temperature before drinking event, °C | 39.76 ± 0.49 |
| Reticulorumen temperature decrease after drinking event, °C | 2.29 ± 1.82 |
| Time to return to baseline temperature, min 2 | 57.75 ± 38.70 |
1 The termination of a drinking event was established when thirty min elapsed without another drink. 2 A cow-specific rolling baseline temperature range (BTR) was calculated using the mean ± 3 SD of each temperature recorded within the most recent 30 min. This BTR was used to define the first time when reticuloruminal temperature returned to baseline following a drinking event. 3 Feed was provided as a total mixed ration at 05:30 and 14:00.