Effect of the proportion of roughage fed as rolled and baled hay on repressing wool-biting behavior in housed sheep.
Anim Sci J
; 89(1): 227-231, 2018 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28944525
ABSTRACT
Wool-biting behavior in housed sheep is a serious animal welfare problem and is difficult to control. Since we have found that sheep fed on rolled hay performed less post-feeding wool-biting than those fed on baled hay, here we mixed these two kinds of hay in four different proportions (0%, 33%, 67% and 100% of rolled hay) to test the effect of rolled hay on repressing wool-biting behavior. We also measured the pulling force needed to remove a piece of rolled hay, baled hay, wool and fresh grass. Wool-biting occurred most frequently in the treatment containing 0% rolled hay; however, there was no significant difference between the other three treatments. The pulling force needed to remove a piece of baled hay was significantly weaker than that for the other three objects; no other significant differences in pulling force were found. Our results suggest that the wool-biting behavior of sheep was due to feeding frustration, which arises when they lack the appropriate oral stimulation from performing their normal foraging movement; this then redirects to the wool on their pen-mates. Feeding sheep rolled hay, even in low quantities, can provide them with appropriate oral stimulation and was effective in repressing wool-biting behavior.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças dos Ovinos
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Comportamento Animal
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Ovinos
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Fibras na Dieta
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Transtornos da Alimentação e da Ingestão de Alimentos
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Dieta
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Comportamento Alimentar
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Abrigo para Animais
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Ração Animal
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Anim Sci J
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article