Computer Vision-Based Characterization of Temporal Feeding Dynamic in Group-Housed Dairy Goats

Feeding behavior is closely related to nutrient intake, health, and production performance, yet its temporal dynamics are difficult to quantify in group-housed dairy goats. We developed a computer vision-based framework to characterize feeding dynamics under commercial farm conditions. Video data were collected from 550 Guanzhong dairy goats housed in five pens over three consecutive days. YOLO11, RF-DETR, and RT-DETR were compared for feeding-area goat detection, and temporal feeding features were analyzed to characterize high feeding activity (HFA) and low feeding activity (LFA). In a subsequent recording phase, head-down feeding behavior was assessed in 150 goats originating from the classified source pens. A total of 24 of these goats (12 HFA and 12 LFA) were selected for exploratory milk-production and serum comparisons. RF-DETR showed the best overall detection performance, with a precision (P) of 87.39%, recall (R) of 84.00%, F1-score of 85.66%, mean average precision (mAP)@0.5 of 90.38%, and [email protected]:0.95 of 53.30%. Goats exhibited a “rapid entry–peak aggregation–gradual departure” feeding pattern after feed delivery. Among the temporal features, rise time of feeding-area goat count (RTFGC), fall time of feeding-area goat count (FTFGC), and feeding-area goat count increase rate (FGCIR) were the most informative features for distinguishing HFA from LFA. HFA goats reached peak feeding-area occupancy earlier, entered the feeding area at a higher rate, and maintained feeding activity for longer than LFA goats. HFA goats also showed higher head-down feeding proportions, greater average daily dry matter intake (DMI), and higher milk yield, as well as distinct serum immune, antioxidant, and neuroendocrine-related profiles. These findings indicate that feeding dynamics derived from video observations can provide a quantitative digital behavioral phenotype for characterizing individual differences in dairy goat feeding activity and their associations with production and physiological status.