Abstract
Feeding behavior analysis provides information about the relationships between animals and pastures. Therefore, this review aims to describe some aspects of the feeding behavior profiles of both sheep and goats in grazing systems. The structure of the pasture is a key factor in the feeding behavior of grazing animals. The amount of feed consumed in a given period of time is affected by the number of meals, duration and velocity of swallowing, changes in grazing time, bite rate, bite weight, and quality of ingested forage. The different phenological stages of forage also influence the animals’ strategies to optimize their intake, which consequently changes their behavioral activities. Sheep and goats tend to be more selective than cattle, and young animals are more selective than older animals; this selectivity characteristic is one of the most important aspects to be observed in pasture management. According to the degree of selectivity, the animals will intake forages of higher or lower nutritive quality. In addition, the intensity and distribution of their daily activities (grazing, ruminating, and resting) are influenced by several factors, such as the availability and nutritive value of the pasture, its management, the animal activity in the group, and the predominant climatic conditions of the region.
Highlights
The definition of ‘animal behavior’ is everything that an animal does to promote actions and react to stimuli
The feeding behavior in ruminants is based on the association between sensory components of the feed and their adaptive capabilities
Based on the above statement, this review aims to describe some aspects of the feeding behavior profiles of sheep and goats in grazing systems
Summary
The definition of ‘animal behavior’ is everything that an animal does to promote actions and react to stimuli. It is important to understand the diet selection and behavior of sheep and goats on different pastures, to maintain an eco-friendly management strategy, as well as profitable animal production activity (Sanon, Kaboré-Zoungrana, & Ledin, 2007). The feeding behavior in ruminants is based on the association between sensory components of the feed and their adaptive capabilities (anatomical structures of the animals and the post-ingestive consequences). Small ruminants (sheep and goats) have different feed intake patterns in the same pastures (Mysterud, 2000). Sheep and goats are animals that can consume diverse diets based on native plants, which allows these animals to present a greater flexibility in their behavior to adapt to new habitats under many scenarios and environmental conditions (Perez-Barberia et al, 2001; Koluman, Boga, Silanikove, & Gorgulu, 2016). Based on the above statement, this review aims to describe some aspects of the feeding behavior profiles of sheep and goats in grazing systems
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