Confinement influenced the diurnal behavior of Katahdin rams and Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures

Poudel, Sanjok; Karki, Uma; Karki, Yubaraj; Tillman, Asha

doi:10.1007/s10457-019-00359-7

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Changes in forage biomass in response to increasing shade levels are not linear [36] but yield generally declines substantially when PAR is reduced to less than 50% of full sun. Similar yield reductions have been observed in pine-walnut silvopastures in Missouri when compared with OP systems [23]. In contrast, the smaller honeylocust trees, with thinner canopy cover, allowed more PAR to penetrate to the forage understory; thus, forage production in HSP was similar to that in OP.…”

Section: Forage Measures 421 Forage Biomasssupporting

confidence: 64%

“…The understanding of the dynamics between shade and animal behavior/productivity is limited. Silvopastures integrating pine trees have been studied to some extent in the southeastern U.S. [3,4,[19][20][21][22][23] and more limited work has been conducted with hardwood systems [5,15,16,24], however, none of these studies have measured animal stress response. The objective of this study was to compare the behavioral and physiological responses of ewes grazing open pastures and black walnut-(Juglans nigra) and honeylocust-(Gleditsia triacanthos) based silvopastures using relatively non-invasive techniques such as hair cortisol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hair Cortisol as a Measure of Chronic Stress in Ewes Grazing Either Hardwood Silvopastures or Open Pastures

2022

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Hair cortisol is a relatively non-invasive and reliable measure of chronic stress, but it has received limited use, especially in pasture systems. A two-year study was carried out to compare behavioral and physiological (intravaginal temperature, hair, and blood cortisol) responses of ewes (Ovis aries) that grazed black walnut (Juglans nigra) silvopasture (BSP), honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) silvopasture (HSP), or open pastures (OP) treatments. Ewe weights and intravaginal temperatures were recorded once for every 4-week interval. Plasma and hair cortisol concentrations were determined by ELISA. Trail cameras detected animal behavior. Ewe average daily gain was greater in HSP compared with OP (p = 0.0456) but did not differ with BSP (p = 0.4686) across both years. Ewes on OP had higher (p < 0.0001) hair cortisol concentrations than ewes on silvopasture treatments both summers. Ewes on OP had ≥ 0.4 °C higher (p ≤ 0.03) intravaginal temperatures during portions of the afternoon than ewes managed in silvopasture treatments. Ewes on OP spent 500–700% more (p < 0.0001) time standing and 125–150% less (p < 0.0001) time lying down compared with ewes on silvopasture treatments. Hair cortisol measures could be an effective and relatively non-invasive technique for determining long-term chronic stress in grazing animals.

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Section: Forage Measures 421 Forage Biomasssupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hair Cortisol as a Measure of Chronic Stress in Ewes Grazing Either Hardwood Silvopastures or Open Pastures

2022

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“…Feeding activities were concentrated mostly during the post-midday period. Several researchers have reported similar findings from studies conducted in different grazing systems, such as woodlands [20], silvopastures [19,24,33], and the Mongolian steppe [34]. Goats grazed for less time in the morning due to less conducive environmental conditions (cooler temperature, higher humidity, and possible dew) as compared to evening hours [19].…”

Section: Influence Of Diurnal Period On Animal Behavior and Distributionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Vegetation Height and Diurnal Period Influenced the Landscape-Use Pattern of Small Ruminants in Woodlands around Summer

Bhattrai

Karki

Poudel

2021

Forests

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Despite the huge potential of using woodlands for small ruminant grazing in the southeast US, unmanaged understory shrubs grown beyond animals’ access minimize the utilization of such vegetation. This study aimed to determine the effect of vegetation height and diurnal period on the behavior and distribution patterns of goats and sheep in woodlands around summer. The study was conducted in six woodland plots (0.4 ha each) comprising southern pines and non-pine (non-target) plant species. Non-pine plants in each study plot were assigned to four treatments: cut to 0 m, 0.9 m, or 1.5 m from the ground level or left uncut (control). Cut plant stubs were allowed to regrow to full canopy before stocking animals. Eight Kiko wethers and five Katahdin rams were rotationally stocked in separate plots, and their diurnal (dawn–dusk) behaviors and distribution patterns were monitored when they were in each plot (three plots per animal species) during the summer of 2018. Animal behavior data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) Procedure with multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) in SAS, while animal distribution pattern, and weather data were analyzed in SAS using a GLM procedure and the distribution evenness index (DEI) using the Kruskal–Wallis rank-sum test in R. Level of significance was set at 5%. Both animal species visited the control area the least. Wethers browsed predominantly in areas where non-pine plants were cut to 0.9 m from the ground level, and rams grazed mostly in areas where non-pine plants were cut to the ground level, mostly during the post-midday period. Browsing was the dominant feeding behavior of wethers (39% browsing vs. 4% grazing), while rams’ feeding behavior was dominated with grazing (24% grazing vs. 12% browsing). Lying was a predominant diurnal behavior in both wethers (46%) and rams (35%), mostly during the midday period. Wethers had a higher value for DEI than rams during the morning and post-midday periods. This study established that (1) the utilization of woodland understory foliage by small ruminants can be increased by lowering plant height, and (2) both vegetation characteristics and diurnal period are important factors for influencing small ruminants’ behavior while stocked in woodlands around summer.

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Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands with different vegetation heights during fall

et al. 2020

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Confinement influenced the diurnal behavior of Katahdin rams and Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures

Cited by 4 publications

References 24 publications

Hair Cortisol as a Measure of Chronic Stress in Ewes Grazing Either Hardwood Silvopastures or Open Pastures

Hair Cortisol as a Measure of Chronic Stress in Ewes Grazing Either Hardwood Silvopastures or Open Pastures

Vegetation Height and Diurnal Period Influenced the Landscape-Use Pattern of Small Ruminants in Woodlands around Summer

Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands with different vegetation heights during fall

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