Dear Fazel,
In my experience, given the buoyancy of the forage fibers, the mat will be formed almost immediately. However, what it will take time to establish, is the microbial community that would be typical of fibrous diets, specially if the diet that was being offered is high is grains or concentrate. Hence, changes in the stoichiometry of rumen fermentation will take some time to acquire the properties characteristic of high fiber diets.
If you need to sample the fiber mat. I will suggest to give at least 14 d for the rumen microbial community to adapt to the new diet (if you are changing diets).
All the best
In ruminant feed the factors order alter the product. I explain. Ruminants should receive first day at the fiber of low to medium quality, then receive minerals and proteins, in order to try to balance the products of ruminal fermentation and maximize fiber degradability in the rumen. The size of the fibrous material must be from one to 8 inches, to maintain adequate rumination process. The total mixed rations offer the opportunity for the animal to have on hand fiber, easily degradable energy, minerals and protein and non-protein nitrogen to optimize fiber degradation in the rumen.
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