Effect of Time of Year on the Roughage Intake of Housed Sheep

Gordon, J. G.

doi:10.1038/204798a0

Cited by 44 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Most other studies which have reported a seasonal fluctuation in food intake have shown the opposite trend, in that food intake increased in the summer months relative to the winter months (Gordon, 1964;Blaxter ef al., 1982). However, the latter experiments were conducted in Aberdeen, Scotland, where there is a large increase in daylength during summer relative to the winter months (ca.…”

Section: Merinomentioning

confidence: 96%

Food intake, growth and mature size in Australian Merino and Dorset horn sheep

Thompson

Parks

1983

Anim. Sci.

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The pattern of food intake as a function of age, and live weight as a function of food consumed was examined from soon after weaning to maturity in groups of fine and strong wool Merino rams and Dorset Horn rams and wethers. Each group, which initially comprised 20 sheep and from which individuals were removed for slaughter at approximately 6-kg increments in live weight, was fed a pelleted ration ad libitum for 98 and 77 weeks for the Merino and Dorset Horn groups respectively.The pattern of food intake was similar for all groups of sheep, in that food intake increased to a maximum at approximately 50 weeks of age and then declined with age with a regular oscillation superimposed on this curve. In all three groups of rams, but not in the Dorset Horn wethers, the oscillations in food intake were on an approximate annual cycle with a decrease in food intake in summer and an increase in winter.Estimated mature live weights for the strong and fine wool Merino rams were 120-5 and 97-6 kg, and for the Dorset Horn rams and wethers 108-6 and 101-4 kg. Variation between breeds in the level of food intake, food efficiency and consequently the pattern of growth, was largely a function of mature size. The Dorset Horn rams were slightly more efficient at converting food to live weight than the wethers.

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Section: Merinomentioning

confidence: 96%

Food intake, growth and mature size in Australian Merino and Dorset horn sheep

Thompson

Parks

1983

Anim. Sci.

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“…If NES > 0, this indicates that the animal has acquired more energy than is required for maintenance, and if NES < 0, this means the animal does not have enough energy for maintenance. Several studies (Blaxter and Boyne, 1982;Clarke, 2001;Gordon, 1964;Kay, 1979;Milne et al, 1978) have indicated that sheep exhibit periodicity in their voluntary intake of feed, with consumption being greater in summer than in winter. Energy supply from grassland and feed is insufficient in winter and there is surplus in summer in both the control and new treatments (Fig.…”

Section: Nes Emr Etai Esumentioning

confidence: 98%

Identifying management strategies to improve sustainability and household income for herders on the desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China

Han

Zhao

et al. 2015

Agricultural Systems

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“…The ovine species is sensitive to daylength primarily for its reproduction, which is stimulated in autumn by decreasing daylength [23,27] but also for food consumption which is maximum under long daylength [17,19], together with body metabolic rate [37] and milk production [6]. The [36] but not yet fully demonstrated, mainly because food intake, which was not controlled in these experiments, may have varied along with season. It has been shown in rodents that leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, is a powerful regulator of food intake and energy expenditure [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%