Publication Date
1997
Description
The objective of this study was to determine whether the foraging behavior of Zebu cattle in deciduous forest was affected by time of the year. Data were recorded during the wet, nortes and dry seasons. Ten Zebu cows were used to record biting rate. Intake and bite size was estimated using three esophageally fistulated animals. Cattle browsed shrubs and trees in the wet season and ingested litter leaves in the dry season which resulted in differences of ingestive behavior. In general, bite size and intake were higher in the wet season and decreased during the nortes and dry seasons.
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Foraging Behavior of Zebu Cattle Grazing Deciduous Forest
The objective of this study was to determine whether the foraging behavior of Zebu cattle in deciduous forest was affected by time of the year. Data were recorded during the wet, nortes and dry seasons. Ten Zebu cows were used to record biting rate. Intake and bite size was estimated using three esophageally fistulated animals. Cattle browsed shrubs and trees in the wet season and ingested litter leaves in the dry season which resulted in differences of ingestive behavior. In general, bite size and intake were higher in the wet season and decreased during the nortes and dry seasons.
