An Aspect of Feeding Behavior and Its Importance to Grazing Systems

Abstract
A study of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) showed significant (P < 0.001) differences in the amount of time ewes walked while grazing in different pastures when the forage in the new pasture differed from that of the previous pasture. Ewes searched for alfalfa in a new pasture when it was a major constituent of the previous pasture but did not appear to search for alfalfa in a new pasture if it was not a major constituent of the previous pasture. Ewes appeared to adjust to less preferred diets within a few days and modified their grazing behavior accordingly. The management implications of prior conditioning are discussed.

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