scholarly journals Feeding behaviour and diet choices and diet choices of cattle with physical and temporal constraints on forage accessibility: an indoor experiment

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ginane ◽  
M. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Mesh Size ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Access Time ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Temporal Constraint ◽  
Physical Constraint ◽  
Choice Proportion ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Marked Preference

AbstractAn indoor choice experiment was conducted to assess the extent to which heifers offered two forages of different quality will attempt to consume the better quality forage when the weight/number of constraints applied on its harvesting increase. The experiment involved six Salers heifers, a leafy (L) and a coarse (C) hay, and two combined or single accessibility constraints. A physical constraint consisted of reducing the prehensibility of L by covering the trough with a steel grid of either 4 cm or 6 cm mesh size (L4 or L6 v. L ∞ for no grid). A temporal constraint limited the daily access time to both hays to 4 v. 24 h. The hays were either offered alone or together over 2-week periods. Dry-matter intake and feeding time were recorded daily.As expected, the physical constraint (only L4 was efficient) made the heifers decrease their choice (proportion of feeding time or intake) for L regardless of access time, whereas the temporal constraint had no significant effect on choice. The heifers greatly modulated their intake rate of L even under strong physical constraint (L4), and then unexpectedly managed to ingest L faster than C. This emphasizes their motivation to keep ingesting the better quality forage, and underlines the difficulties in comparing diet choices with the optimal foraging theory predictions based on the relative values of a behavioural component subject to large variation, i.e. intake rate. In a very constraining situation (L4 and 4-h access), heifers made a choice that allowed them to increase their total daily digestible organic matter (DOM) intake compared with L4 or C offered alone because of an inverse relationship between feeding time and intake rate on L4. They did not however maximize their total daily DOM intake in a less constraining situation (L ∞ or L6 and C, with 4-h access), since they did not consume L exclusively and showed a marked preference for a mixed diet.

Foraging behaviour of Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in heterogeneous environments

Behaviour ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Tuck ◽  
Mark Hassall
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Turning Angle ◽  
Quality Food ◽  
Armadillidium Vulgare

AbstractForaging behaviour of Armadillidium vulgare was observed in laboratory arenas in which the spatial distribution of patches of high quality food (powdered dicotyledonous leaf litter) was varied within a background of low quality food (powdered grass leaf litter). The hypotheses that the foraging behaviour and foraging path of A. vulgare would be influenced by food quality and the patchiness of high quality food resources were tested. More time was spent in high quality food patches than in low quality food backgrounds than expected by chance in all heterogeneity treatments, but an increasingly higher percentage of time was spent in low quality food as the high quality food became more clumped in space. More time was spent searching, but less time was spent feeding in low quality food backgrounds than in high quality food patches in all the treatments. Walking speed was found to be lower in high quality food patches than in low quality food backgrounds and this was not affected by treatment. Turning frequency and turning angle were found to be higher in high quality food patches than in low quality backgrounds. Turning frequency in low quality food backgrounds decreased as the high quality food became more clumped in space, whereas turning angle in high quality food patches significantly increased in the patchy, but then decreased again in the clumped treatment. The effects of varying the spatial heterogeneity of high quality foods on the trade-off between costs of searching and intake benefits for saprophages are discussed in relation to predictions from optimal foraging theory for circumstances when intake rate maximisation is affected by the constraint of limited nutrients.

Ewes increase their intake when offered a choice of herbage species at pasture

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cortes ◽  
J. C. Damasceno ◽  
J. Jamot ◽  
S. Prache
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Food Diversity ◽  
Resource Degradation ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Effect Of Food ◽  
Free Grazing ◽  
Preferred Species

AbstractIn stall-feeding conditions, food diversity has been shown to increase an animal's motivation to eat and its level of food intake. This effect has also been suggested, but not demonstrated, for free-grazing animals. In free-grazing conditions, however, animals may have to search for the preferred plant species and this may reduce their intake rate. Moreover, the management of diverse swards faces a risk of overgrazing the preferred species and undergrazing the less preferred species, leading to resource degradation. We investigated the effect of food diversity on foraging behaviour and intake in grazing sheep, in interaction with the type of diversity (conterminal monocultures v. mixtures) and management (two monocultures offered simultaneously v. successively over time). Five treatments were compared with five groups of five dry INRA 401 ewes for five periods, using a Latin-square design: LOL=grazing a monoculture of Lolium perenne cv. Herbie (L); FES=grazing a monoculture of Festuca arundinacea cv. Florine (F); STRIPS=grazing conterminal monocultures of L and F, 0·5:0·5 by ground area, with animals having a free choice between both species; TIME=grazing L from 16:00 to 09:00 h and F from 09:00 to 16:00 h; MIX=grazing an intermeshed mixture of L and F. Sward height was maintained at 9 cm. Each period comprised a 5-day adaptation subperiod followed by a 5-day measurement subperiod. Dietary choices and intake were measured using n-alkanes, and grazing time was assessed using the Ethosys® recording system. Intake rate was calculated as the ratio of intake to grazing time. Intake in the monoculture treatments were higher than predictions made for housed animals given similar forages ad libitum, demonstrating that sward conditions were favourable for the expression of voluntary intake in all treatments. Intake was higher in LOL than in FES, this result being consistent with predictions for stall-feeding conditions. There was no difference in diet composition, foraging behaviour and intake between the bispecific treatments (STRIPS, TIME and MIX). Intake was higher in the bispecific treatments than in LOL (1666 v. 1492 g digestible organic matter per day, P<0·001). Grazing time was higher in STRIPS and MIX than in LOL (420 and 430 min respectively v. 366 min, P<0·01). Dry ewes increase their intake when offered a choice of herbage species at pasture, this being mediated via an increase in grazing time rather than an increase in intake rate. There was no interaction with type of diversity or type of management.

Feeding behavior and social interactions of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile change with sucrose concentration

2016 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. Sola ◽  
R. Josens
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Sucrose Concentration ◽  
Linepithema Humile ◽  
Argentine Ant ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Post Feeding ◽  
Solution Intake ◽  
Feeding Interactions

AbstractLiquid sugar baits are well accepted by the Argentine ant Linepithema humile and are suitable for the chemical control of this invasive species. We evaluated how sugar concentrations affect the foraging behavior of L. humile individuals. We quantified feeding variables for individual foragers (ingested load, feeding time and solution intake rate) when feeding on sucrose solutions of different concentrations, as well as post-feeding interactions with nestmates. Solutions of intermediate sucrose concentrations (10–30%) were the most consumed and had the highest intake rates, whereas solutions of high sucrose concentrations (60 and 70%) resulted in extended feeding times, low intake rates and ants having smaller crop loads. In terms of post-feeding interactions, individuals fed solutions of intermediate sucrose concentrations (20%) had the highest probability of conducting trophallaxis and the smallest latency to drop exposure (i.e. lowest time delay). Trophallaxis duration increased with increasing sucrose concentrations. Behavioral motor displays, including contacts with head jerking and walking with a gaster waggle, were lowest for individuals that ingested the more dilute sucrose solution (5%). These behaviors have been previously suggested to act as a communication channel for the activation and/or recruitment of nestmates. We show here that sucrose concentration affects feeding dynamics and modulates decision making related to individual behavior and social interactions of foragers. Our results indicate that intermediate sucrose concentrations (ca. 20%), appear to be most appropriate for toxic baits because they promote rapid foraging cycles, a high crop load per individual, and a high degree of stimulation for recruitment.

Effects of restricted time allocation to pasture on feeding behaviour, intake and milk production of dairy sheep rotationally grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) in spring

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Molle ◽  
M. Decandia ◽  
V. Giovanetti ◽  
C. Manca ◽  
M. Acciaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Time Allocation ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Access Time ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
And Performance

The effects of restricted time allocation (2, 4 or 6 h/day) to pasture and grazing day (Day 1, initial; Day 4, intermediate; Day 7, final) on feeding behaviour, intake and performance were assessed in Sarda dairy ewes, rotationally grazing Italian ryegrass plots for 7 days, with 21 days of regrowth. A randomised block design with two replicates per access time was used with six groups of six ewes each. The ewes were supplemented daily with 400 g/head of a commercial concentrate at milking, 300 g/head of lupin after grazing and 700 g/head of ryegrass hay overnight. Pasture variables, feeding behaviour, herbage and supplement DM intake, and milk yield and composition were measured on 12 days (4 per target grazing day). Plot average data were analysed by a bifactorial model with interaction, which was not significant. Sward height and herbage mass decreased between Day 1 and Day 4 (P < 0.05). Leaf area index dropped from Day 1 to Day 7 (P < 0.05). Eating time, as proportion of access time, and intake rate were higher in 2 h/day groups than in the others (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, herbage and total intake were higher in 6 h/day than in 2 h/day groups, being 4 h/day groups intermediate (P < 0.05). Herbage intake decreased with grazing period (P < 0.05). Fat normalised milk yield was higher in 6 h/day groups than in the others (P < 0.05) and in Day 1 and Day 4 than in Day 7 (P < 0.05). To conclude, time restriction below 6 h/day and pasture depletion, in terms of herbage quality, constrained intake and performance of rotationally grazing dairy ewes.

The rate of intake of sweet, salty and bitter concentrates by dairy cows

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Chiy ◽  
C. J. C Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Artificial Sweetener ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
First Feeding ◽  
Subsequent Period ◽  
Consecutive Period ◽  
Feeding Process

AbstractChanges in the formulation and flavour of concentrate foods may temporarily reduce their acceptability to cattle, leading to reduced intake when they are offered for a limited time during milking. The rate of intake of 12 dairy cows offered 1 kg of salty or bitter concentrates was compared with a sweet concentrate, with or without an artificial sweetener to mask adverse flavours. The cows were offered the test concentrates twice a day in a Latin-square design with seven feeding occasions per period and the apparent and actual (excluding non-feeding time) food intake rates were recorded for all seven feeding occasions. Both apparent and actual intake rates were slower for the bitter compared with the salty and sweet flavoured concentrate.For the first two feeding occasions the intake rate was recorded separately for the 1st min and the subsequent period until the end of feeding. The intake rate was faster in the 1st min because of more rapid prehension of the food and fewer interruptions to the feeding process. Where no mask was included there was no effect of flavour on the apparent intake rate in the 1st min of the first feeding occasion but in the 1st min of the second feeding occasion the apparent intake rate of the salty concentrate was less than that for the sweet or bitter concentrates. The actual intake rates of the bitter and salty concentrates were less than for the sweet concentrate. The mask increased the apparent intake rate of the bitter and sweet concentrates in the 1st min of both the first and second feeding occasions, by reducing the non-feeding time and it also increased the actual intake rate of salty concentrates.After the 1st min the apparent intake rate of the salty concentrate was faster than that of the bitter and sweet concentrates, where no mask was included. The mask increased the apparent intake rate of the sweet concentrates at this time but reduced it for salty and bitter concentrates. It therefore reduced the acclimatization to the salty and bitter concentrates and enhanced the attractiveness of the sweet concentrates.There was a residual effect from the previous period of concentrates which were eaten slowly i.e. salty concentrates, which reduced the 1st min intake of foods that were eaten rapidly, i.e. sweet concentrates, in the subsequent period. This was largely due to increases in the time spent pausing between bouts of food ingestion. After the 1st min the apparent intake rate of cows receiving salty concentrate for a second consecutive period was increased, suggesting acclimatization. The opposite effect was observed for the sweet concentrate, probably because the novelty of the sweetness had diminished, making it relatively less attractive to the cow. This experiment therefore provides evidence that bitter and to some extent salty concentrates are consumed at a slower rate than sweet concentrates, except for the 1st min in which they are offered to cattle and that a reduced concentrate intake rate may persist after the flavour is removed from the food. Cattle did, however, demonstrate an ability to acclimatize to salty concentrate over time.

The ability of sheep at different stocking rates to maintain the quality and quantity of their diet during the grazing season

2003 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. GARCIA ◽  
P. CARRÈRE ◽  
J. F. SOUSSANA ◽  
R. BAUMONT
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Managed Trade ◽  
Stocking Rates

The degree to which grazers maintain the amount (organic matter intake) or the quality (organic matter digestibility) of their diet without adversely affecting the other component was addressed by investigating how sheep managed trade-offs between quantity and quality throughout the grazing season in an upland area of central France. Two groups of five dry ewes, grazing two plots of contrasting areas from April to the end of September 2000, were studied. On the smaller plot (1500 m2), the application of a high stocking rate (HSR) produced a resource of good quality but in low quantity; and on the larger plot (3000 m2), a low stocking rate (LSR) created a sward of low quality but in good quantity. In spring, in both conditions, the sheep maintained their intake of digestible organic matter (OM) at between 1000 and 1250 g/day. Both organic matter intake and digestibility remained high at both stocking rates. In summer, the intake of digestible OM decreased to between 750 and 1000 g/day. On HSR, this was mainly due to a decline of intake in relation to the decrease of intake rate and bite weight. On LSR a decrease in digestibility and to a lesser extent in intake was involved. At both stocking rates, the sheep maximized the digestibility of their diet by selecting the green laminae throughout the grazing season. In spring, the sheep modulated their daily grazing time to compensate the decrease in intake rate and maintained a high daily intake. In summer and autumn, the sheep failed to maintain their daily intake at the same level as previously observed. On both plots they modulated their daily grazing time to cover their needs (730 g/day), but they did not increase it further to maximize daily intake. This may be attributable to the costs involved in selecting (LSR) or taking (HSR) the best components from the sward.

Temporal dynamics in the foraging decisions of large herbivores

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fortin ◽  
Jerod A. Merkle ◽  
Marie Sigaud ◽  
Seth G. Cherry ◽  
Sabrina Plante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Foraging Decisions ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Selection Of

The foraging decisions involved in acquiring a meal can have an impact on an animal’s spatial distribution, as well as affect other animal species and plant communities. Thus, understanding how the foraging process varies over space and time has broad ecological implications, and optimal foraging theory can be used to identify key factors controlling foraging decisions. Optimality models are based on currencies, options and constraints. Using examples from research on free-ranging bison (Bison bison), we show how variations in these model elements can yield strong spatio-temporal variation in expected foraging decisions. First, we present a simple optimal foraging model to investigate the temporal scale of foraging decisions. On the basis of this model, we identify the foraging currency and demonstrate that such a simple model can be successful at predicting animal distribution across ecosystems. We then modify the model by changing (1) the forager’s option, from the selection of individual plants to the selection of food bites that may include more than one plant species, (2) its constraints, from being omniscient to having incomplete information of resource quality and distribution and (3) its currency, from the maximisation of energy intake rate (E) to the maximisation of the ratio between E and mortality risk (u).We also show that, where the maximisation of E fails, the maximisation of E/u can explain the circadian rhythm in the diet and movements of bison. Simple optimal foraging-theory models thus can explain changes in dietary choice of bison within a foraging patch and during the course of a day.

scholarly journals Foraging Behavior of Goats Browsing in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssef Chebli ◽  
Samira El Otmani ◽  
Mouad Chentouf ◽  
Jean-Luc Hornick ◽  
Jérôme Bindelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Mediterranean Forest ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Southern Mediterranean ◽  
Selection Of

Mediterranean forest rangelands offer an important feed source for goats. Concerns about grazing strategies and management schemes in order to ensure the rangeland sustainability of Southern Mediterranean forest have revived interest in the foraging behavior of goats. This study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes of feeding behavior of grazing goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland of Northern Morocco during two consecutive years beginning in 2016. The direct observation method was used to compare diet composition, intake rate, and diet selectivity of goats during three seasons (spring, summer, and fall). Bite mass of each plant species selected by goats was estimated using hand-plucked simulation. The optimal foraging theory was used as a tool to explain the goats foraging decisions. Bite mass range was extremely wide and varied seasonally. The goats’ diet was largely composed of Cistus spp., Lavandula stoechas, Quercus spp., and Myrtus communis. The result shows that the smaller the bite mass, the higher the biting rate, leading to increased short term intake rates. The selection of various plant species during fall and summer enlarged the diet diversity of goats. As expected, goats preferred trees and some shrubs despite their low availability. Consequently, the most available species is not necessarily the most positively selected. Particular high and positive selection of Quercus suber was observed over seasons. The outcomes confirm the high adaptability and ability of goats to select a woody species across seasons. Knowledge about forage availability and the feeding behavior of goats could be used as the first guide for rangeland managers to ensure herd and forest sustainability.

scholarly journals Insights for caribou/reindeer management using optimal foraging theory

Rangifer ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary E. Belovsky
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Diet Choice ◽  
Insect Harassment ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Parameter Values

Optimal foraging theory is useful to wildlife managers, because it helps explain the nutritional value of different habitats for wildlife species. Based upon nutritional value, the use of different habitats can be predicted, including how factors such as insect harassment, predation and migration might modify habitat selection. If habitat value and use can be understood, then changes in habitat availability which are of concern to wildlife managers can be assessed. The theory is used to address diet choice and habitat use of caribou/reindeer. Diet choice is examined in terms of lichen composition of the diet and is demonstrated to be a function of daily feeding time, food abundance and digestive capacity. The diet choice model is then used to assess the nutritional profitability of different habitats and which habitat should be preferred based upon nutritional profitability. Caribou/reindeer use of habitats is demonstrated to be easily modified by insect harassment and predation which change the nutritional profitability of habitats differentially. The same type of approach could be used to explain migratory behaviour; however, the needed parameter values are unavailable. The results of this analysis lead one to question some common conceptions about caribou/reindeer ecology.

Access Time to the Internal Lexicon: Bilingual and Monolingual Subjects

1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Lachman ◽  
Janet L. Mistler-lachman ◽  
J. R. Holloway
Keyword(s):  
Access Time ◽  
Internal Lexicon
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