Description
Effects of fasting sheep for 24 h (F), compared with controls (NF), on their ingestive behaviour and particle size in extrusa was investigated using oesophageally fistulated animals, grazing monocultures of Lolium perenne (G) or Trifolium repens (C). Bite masses tended to be lower on G than C and tended to increase with fasting (40, 64, 61 and 70 mg DM bite-1) for treatments GNF, GF, CNF and CF, respectively. Prehension rate was lower (52 vs. 69 bites min-1) and masticating rate was higher (106 vs.86 mastications min- 1) for G and C treatments, respectively. Over 24 h following fasting, NF animals grazed less (458 vs. 578 min 24 h-1) and ruminated less (276 vs. 348 min 24 h-1) than F animals. Particles in extrusa < 0.18 mm were 48 vs. 55 %, for G and F, and 49 vs.54% for F and NF treatments.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Fasting on Ingestive Behaviour of Sheep Grazing Grass or White Clover Monocultures
Effects of fasting sheep for 24 h (F), compared with controls (NF), on their ingestive behaviour and particle size in extrusa was investigated using oesophageally fistulated animals, grazing monocultures of Lolium perenne (G) or Trifolium repens (C). Bite masses tended to be lower on G than C and tended to increase with fasting (40, 64, 61 and 70 mg DM bite-1) for treatments GNF, GF, CNF and CF, respectively. Prehension rate was lower (52 vs. 69 bites min-1) and masticating rate was higher (106 vs.86 mastications min- 1) for G and C treatments, respectively. Over 24 h following fasting, NF animals grazed less (458 vs. 578 min 24 h-1) and ruminated less (276 vs. 348 min 24 h-1) than F animals. Particles in extrusa < 0.18 mm were 48 vs. 55 %, for G and F, and 49 vs.54% for F and NF treatments.
