• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.951-955
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• 2001

The behaviour of 6 Toggenburg and 6 Saanen female goats, grazing on natural vegatation in a modified sub-humid tropical environment of Kenya, was studied during the dry (January and February) and wet (April and May) seasons in 1997. The two exotic breeds grazed for 12 h daily. Observation on feeding, standing, lying and ruminating was done chronometrically at five minute intervals between 0600 and 1800 h. These grazing times were based on the current practice of small holder farmers. During the dry period, the average feeding, standing, lying and ruminating time per 12 h period for Saanens was 5.63, 4.57, 1.80 and 1.50 h respectively while that for Toggenburgs was 7.26, 3.21, 1.53 and 1.96 h, respectively. In the wet(Green) season, the mean feeding, standing, lying and ruminating time for Saanens was found to be 5.08, 4.63, 2.29 and 0.72, respectively.Toggenburgs spent more time feeding (p<0.05) than Saanens in both seasons. It was also observed that standing occured more often in Saanens than the Toggenburgs in the dry season. During the wet period, Saanens ruminated significantly longer than the Toggenburgs. The health status of the animals was determined by analyzing the respiratory frequency, heart rate, rectal temperature, hemoglobin, erythrocytes and leucocytes of the experimental animals. All the clinical and physiological parameters were within the normal physiological range of healthy goats. It was concluded that differences in the grazing behaviour of Saanens and Toggenburgs in the modified tropical environment of Kenya, do exist.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.681-685
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• 1992

Experiment involved range vegetation classified into three major classes: Xerophytic trees, shrubs and grasses. Among them samples of major plant species were collected and analysed for chemical composition. The experimental animals 20 each of Thalli sheep and Teddy goats, located at Livestock Experiment Station Rakh Kharewala district Layyah (Pakistan) were randomly drawn from the main flock. The grazing pattern data were collected from one animal of each species. The observations regarding the grazing behaviour, breeding efficiency and carcass quality were also determined. It was found that overall preference index of Teddy goats were higher for Khabble (Cynodon dactylon) indicated by percent of the total number of bites made on different plant species, while the bites on Lumb (Aristida plumose), Mahabbat booti (Cenchrus biflorus), Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Karera (Elionorus hirsutus) were found to be 1.28, 6.74, 0.32 and 3.87 percents. The browsing species as a whole were utilized more during the draught period. Among the grasses, sheep heavily utilized Khabble grass, with overall bite percentage of 89.27. Within browsing species Wan (Salvadora oleoides) and wind fallen dry leaves of Wan were considerably picked by the sheep showing 1.19 and 3.49 overall bite percentage respectively. The overall daily growth rates & dressing percentage for Teddy goats and Thalli sheep were 48.33, 39.00 and 51.00, 46.00 percent respectively. Moreover, among the experimental animals 50 percent goats exhibited signs of oestrus where as none of the sheep came into heat during the study period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.491-495
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• 2001

The behaviour of 5 Jersey and 5 Guernsey heifers, grazing on natural vegetation in a sub-humid tropical environment in Kenya, was studied during the dry (January and February) and wet (April and May) seasons in 1999. The heifers grazed for 12 hours daily in both seasons. Observations on feeding, standing, lying and ruminating were done chronometrically, at five-minute intervals, between 0600 and 1800 h. During the dry season, the average feeding, standing, lying and ruminating times per 12 h period for Jerseys was 8.0, 3.13, 0.87, and 1.40 respectively, while those for Guernseys were 8.6, 3.26, 0.4, and 1.35 respectively. In the wet (green) season, the mean feeding, standing, lying and ruminating times for Jerseys were found to be 7.54, 3.07, 1.39, and 1.27 respectively, and for Guernseys were 8.42, 3.10, 0.48, and 0.44 respectively. In both seasons Guernseys spent more time feeding (p<0.05) in comparison with the Jerseys. It was also observed that lying occurred more often in Jerseys than the Guernseys (p<0.05) in both seasons. During the wet season, Jerseys ruminated longer (p<0.05) than the Guernseys. The health status of the animals was determined by examining the respiratory frequency, heart rate, rectal temperature, haemoglobin erythrocytes and leucocytes of the experimental animals. All the clinical and physiological parameters were within the normal physiological range of healthy cattle. It was concluded that there are differences in grazing behaviour between Jerseys and Guernseys in the sub-humid tropical environment of Kenya and Jerseys seem to be more adapted to the tropical climatic conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the ecological behaviour forage value and similarity among the plant communities of the grazing pasture near Witzenhausen in middle part of Germany. Sixteen plant communities of the different grazing pasture were mostly the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Festuco-Brometea, and those were named the class of plant sociological nomenclature. The ecological behaviour and forage value of the communities except mesobromion(half dry grassland community) were relatively good for forage production. The correlation coefficient between class No. 14 and 12 of plant communities was highest, and the similarity among the communities were greatly affected by botanical composition. The resemblance measure of the cluster-analysis by complete-linkage-method for the similarity among plant communities was better the euclidean distance than those of others. The clustering analysis showed that the communities of relatively similar botanical composition were closely grouped.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.727-731
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of skin pigmentation on physiological parameters of thermoregulation and grazing behaviour of dairy goats in a hot and humid climate. The study used 26 crossbred Saanen yearling goats (95% Saanen+5% Local Hair Breed). The animals were raised at semi-intensive private farms in Adana (36 59'N, 35 18'E). Groups were selected 2 d before the start of observations. Goats were categorized as predominantly pigmented (P) skin and unpigmented (UP) skin. All observations and measurements were collected on grassland during the grazing period of June and July 2007 (60 d). Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded at 10 min intervals by a portable data logger. The physiological data (rectal temperature, respiration and pulse rate, and skin temperatures from head and udder) were recorded twice weekly in the morning (07:00-08:00); at midday (13:00-14:00); and in the evening (18:00-19:00). Additionally, the activity of the animals was observed and classified (eating, ruminating, drinking, standing, walking, lying) for 12 h during the day twice weekly, using a portable camera system linked directly to a computer. Panting behaviour was also observed. According to the THI values, the experimental goats were subjected to stressful conditions. The pigmented goats had significantly lower rectal temperatures (39.68 vs. $29.89^{\circ}C$), pulse rate (74.08 vs. 84.10 beat/min) and respiration rate (65.65 vs. 88.23 breath/min.) compared with unpigmented goats at midday when the THI exceeded 92. The rectal, head and udder temperatures, pulse and respiration rates of the non-pigmented group exceeded $40^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$, $37.5^{\circ}C$, 84 beats/min and 78 breaths/min, respectively. Higher activity was observed among pigmented compared with unpigmented goats. Unpigmented goats grazed (4.3 vs. 5.6 h), ruminated (2.0 vs. 2.4 h), and stood (0.8 vs. 1.2 h) less, but lay down (2.2 vs. 1.8 h) more than pigmented goats. The data obtained in this experiment support the hypothesis that unpigmented goats are more adversely affected by climatic stress, likely due to their decreased activity and increased water consumption, as demonstrated by previous studies.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 1984

From June, 1980 to October, 1982, this study was carried out to find an optimal grazing system on the timothy and orchardgrass-dominated pasture. Five different systems consisted of set stocking, modified set stocking, rotational grazing, 'wye college' system and zero grazing have been applied. The results obtained were as follow: 1. Herbage DM yield per ha with 'wye college' system, set stocking, modified set stocking, rotational grazing and zero grazing were 6936.7 kg,6794.3 kg, 6686.9 kg 6675.7 kg and 5083.4 kg respectively. Among treatments were not different in DM yield. 2. In herbage utilization, zero grazing was the highest than other. Zero Grazing, Rotational grazing, 'Wye college' system, Modified set stocking and set stocking was 89.3%, 70.8%, 64.4% and 46.1% respectively. 3. Daily intake per head with 'wye college' system was the highest than others and zero grazing was the lowest than others. 4. Daily gain with 'wye college' system, rotational grazing, modified set stocking, set stocking and zero grazing were 0.60kg, 0.55kg, 0.50kg, 0.43kg and 0.42 respectively. Among treatment, there was no significance. 5. Total weight gain per ha with 'wye college' system, rotational grazing, modified set stocking, zero grazing and set stocking were 339.5kg, 299.1kg, 253.3kg, 226.6kg and 222.2kg respectively. 6. Grazing time among treatments was not significant. 'Wye college' system spent the shortest time, 367.3 minutes and set stocking consumed the longest time, 422.1 minutes. 7. Daily grazing time by seasonal change with June, July, August, September and October was 304.9 min., 359.4 min., 437.9 min., 483.3 min. and 395.8 min., respectively. According to passing the season, grazing time was lengthened. 8. Grazing time for Korean native cow, native cow charolais and native cow holstein were not significant. Native sow charolais consumed the longest time, 457.0 min., whereas Korean native cow consumed the shortest time, 422.4 min..

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 1998

Seasonal variations in the feeding behaviour of Jamunapari and Barbari goat breeds and their utilization of browse and grass nutrients was evaluated in a promising 3-tier (Leucaena leucocephala- Dichro-stachys nutan-Cenchrus ciliaris) reconstituted pasture during summer, rainy and winter season of the years 1987 and 1988. Distinct diurnal pattern of feeding was observed with both the breeds. Jamunapari goats spent significantly more time foraging during winter season (352.0 min) followed by summer (306.0 min) and least in rainy season (277.0 min). Though no significant difference was observed in the relative time spent by Barbari goats on grazing activities during summer and winter season, they spent significantly more (p < 0.05) time during rainy season as compared to other two seasons. The preference of grazing goats for certain plant species in relation to others was evident with distinct seasonal and breed variations. DM intake (g/kg $BW^{075}$) varied significantly (p < 0.05) from season to season. Among the browse. L. leucocephala was prefered over D. nutan irrespective of breed over the seasons. There was no breed difference in DM intake, or proximate composition and nutrient digestibility of ingested herbage. The available nutrient content of ingested forage was found sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of adult goats for maintenance (NRC, 1981). The reconstituted 3-tier pasture dominated by plant species like L. leucocephala and Cenchrus species appear to have great potential to sustain the nutrient requirement of goats without adverse seasonal fluctuations in pasture quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2005

Under a typical Mediterranean environment in southern Australia, the evaporation rate increases significantly in hot summers, resulting in highly saline drinking water for grazing animals. Also in the cropping areas, dryland salinity is a problem. Grazing animals under these environments can ingest excessive amount of salt from feed, drinking water and soil, which can lead to a reduction in growth rate. To understand the impact of high salt intake on grazing deer, two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of salt levels in drinking water on feed intake and growth rate of red and fallow weaner deer. The results revealed that fallow deer did not show any abnormal behaviour or sickness when salt level in drinking water was increased from 0% to 2.5%. Feed intake was not affected until the salt content in water exceeded 1.5%. Body weight gain was not affected by 1.2% salt in drinking water, but was reduced as salt content in water increased. Compared with deer on fresh water, the feed intake of red deer on saline water was 11-13% lower when salt level in drinking water was 0.4-0.8%. An increase in salt level in water up to 1% resulted in about a 30% reduction in feed intake (p<0.01). Body weight gain was significantly (p=0.004) reduced when salt level reached 1.2%. The deer on 1% salt tended to have a higher (p=0.052) osmotic pressure in serum. The concentration of P, K, Mg and S in serum was affected when salt level in water was over 1.0%. The results suggested that the salt level in drinking water should be lower than 1.2% for fallow weaner deer and 0.8% for red weaner deer to avoid any reduction in feed intake. Deer farmers need to regularly test the salt levels in drinking water on their farms to ensure that the salt intake of grazing deer is not over the levels that deer can tolerate.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.158-162
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• 1989

This experiment was conducted to evaluate individual difference of chewing speed and chews per bolus duing the rumination using twenty three heads of grazing cattle and thirty six heads of barn feeding cattle. Rumination behaviour was measured and recorded by the masster EMC telemeter and visual observation. The chewing speed (chews/lOOsec) was significantly different individually (C.V. 13.0-14.5 %) among the variable aged group (1-60 months), but that of same aged group showed lower difference (C.V. 4.5 %). The chews per bolus showed even larger individually difference than the chewing speed, so the variable aged group (1-60 months) resulted the 15.5-16.2 %of C.V.and the same aged group showed the 9.5 % of C.V. Under 12 month aged cattle showed more rapid chewing speed than older aged cattle. The chewing speed changed with the growth of cattle, but the chews per bolus did not show any relationship with age, so it is regarded as the individually characteristic pattern.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 1986

A study was conducted to provide direct comparisons of the effect of variations in herbage use, grazing and social behaviour upon the flat, slope and forest grassland with a total 30 Korean Native Cattle and 5 Korean Native Goats under 4-year old grassland established by intensive sowing method in Daecheon. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. Relative intake index, dry matter intake per animal and dry matter digestibility by Korean Native Goats in flat, slope and forest grassland were 35.2%-462g-63.7%, 35.0%-459g-63.0% and 29.8%-391g-62.1%, respectively. 2. Grazing time by Korean Native Cattle was not different among the grassland types, but ruminating time was increased in slope grassland, whereas in forest grassland was decreased. Resting time was increased in forest grassland, whereas in slope grassland was decreased. Walking time was increased in flat grassland, but loafing time was increased in forest grassland. The number of rumination, chews per bolus and defecation number were decreased in forest grassland. The number of drinks, total drinking water and walking distance were increased in slope grassland. 3. Animal distance, occupied area per animal and sub group formation by Korean Native Cattle in flat, slope and forest grassland were $3.4m-11.9m^2-3.6head$, $3.56m-11.0m^2-3.7head$ and $3.70m-14.6m^2-3.4head$, respectively. The order of grazing movement was similar to the pear-shaped grazing formation, but the relations of dominance between first grazer and last grazer upon different grassland types was not clear.