Forage species availability, food preference and grazing behavior of goats in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the grazing behavior of three goat ecotypes, Red Sokoto (RS), West African Dwarf (WAD) and their crossbreeds (CB), reared in the same environment was conducted. These parameters were monitored for a period of 18 weeks at Abakaliki, Nigeria. A general inventory of forage species available and the key forage species preferred by the goat were also determined. Twenty-six forage species comprising of 13 grasses, 5 legumes, 2 trees and 6 shrubs were identified. Grasses, legumes and trees were the most preferred species, and these formed the bulk of their diet. The most preferred species were not necessarily the most aboundant on the ground, indicating that ease of accessibility and palatability may be important determinants for choice of a forage species. The least preferred forage was Leucana leucocephala. Behaviours such as ingestion, walking, resting, rumination, playing, bullying and courtship behaviours were all observed during the grazing period. Time spent on these behaviours varied slightly between the three different breeds with the RS playing for a longer period (P < 0.05) and walking longer (P < 0.05) distances than others. There were also significant differences (P < 0.05) in time spent for ingestion and resting among the three breeds with the WAD spending greater time (P < 0.05) in ingestion as well as resting than others. All the animals rested after 1-2h of intensive grazing with the WAD returning to their pens first. Their choice of food differ slightly too; RS showed more preference for short trees, dry leaves and standing hays; WAD prefer fresh forage while CB seem to show equal interest for both. The result of the study will therefore be useful in planning a grazing strategy for the three goat breeds used for the study.

Keywords: Forage availability; Grazing hebaviour; Indigenous goats