Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures during the cool-season grazing period

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

“…Observations were repeated at each rotational stocking in each study plot, resulting in three observation days per animal species (5 June to 12 August 2018), daily average duration of 13:30 h to 14:30 h, and 516 total observations over the study period. Observation sheets were specific to each study plot, showing different zones, locations of water troughs, mineral feeders, and shelters, and notation for behavior categories such as grazing, browsing, loafing, lying, and debarking [19,20,24]. Observers placed themselves on the adjacent plots in such a way that they could easily observe animals without letting the animals notice the observers.…”

“…This idea needs to be tested to determine whether it works and to evaluate how such cutting would influence animals' landscape utilization patterns (time spent and behavior performed in different areas). Understanding animals' behavior and distribution within a landscape is very important to manage any grazing system sustainably [13,19]. An even distribution of animals over the grazing landscape is essential to utilize the available vegetation and recycle the nutrients in the form of animal excreta uniformly within the system.…”

“…An even distribution of animals over the grazing landscape is essential to utilize the available vegetation and recycle the nutrients in the form of animal excreta uniformly within the system. The evenness of animal distribution can be estimated by calculating the distribution evenness index (DEI) [19], which is elaborated in the Materials and Methods section. Uneven animal distribution in grazing lands may cause overexploitation of resources in certain areas while other areas remain underused, leading to unsustainable use of resources.…”

“…Uneven animal distribution in grazing lands may cause overexploitation of resources in certain areas while other areas remain underused, leading to unsustainable use of resources. Therefore, a better understanding of animal behavior and distribution pattern in a grazing system is important for landowners and land managers to make management decisions such as the placement of grazing facilities, management of stocking density, and control of predators [19]. Our previous studies during fall in woodlands showed that goats and sheep mostly selected areas within their accessible heights for browsing and grazing during evening hours, while resting activities such as lying and loafing were mostly during afternoon hours, showing the influence of vegetation height and diurnal periods on behavior and distribution patterns of goats and sheep during fall [20].…”

Silvopasture: a sustainable livestock production system

“…Indeed, both browsing of newly planted seedlings and debarking of well-established trees compromise their survival and growth. While analyzing the diurnal behavior of kiko goats grazing in wellestablished southern-pine silvopastoral systems in Alabama USA, Karki et al (2019) noticed that the animals spent about 2% of their time derbaking trees. Nicodemo and Porfírio-da-Silva (2019) reviewed the reports of bark stripping in silvopastoral systems and correlated it to the conditions for the occurrence of damage.…”