Invited review: Feeding behavior of goats1,2

Abstract

Factors influencing the feeding behavior of goats include grazing management practices, type of vegetation and season, breed and stage of production, group size, and properties of diets fed in confinement. Considerable information has been gathered from visual observation during daylight. However, tools are now available to characterize the feeding behavior of goats while grazing and while in confinement throughout the day. Global positioning system collars can be used to assess horizontal and vertical distances traveled, up or down position of the head, and movement within pasture or rangeland areas. A commercially available leg activity monitor allows estimation of the number of steps and time spent standing, lying, and moving rapidly without grazing. However, these measurements do not directly determine grazing. Therefore, prediction equations based on visual observation must be developed. Classification tree analysis is a robust method in developing these equations because the decision tree can be pruned or expanded to provide the best fit. Another equipment system determines time spent eating, ruminating, and remaining idle from the pattern of jaw movement. In addition to use of n-alkanes as internal markers to estimate digestibility, their profile can provide an indication of the botanical composition of the selected diet. Automated feeding systems for confined goats permit determinations such as number of feeder visits and meals, eating time, and rate and pattern of feed intake. Heart rate measured while goats are in normal production settings can be used to predict total energy expenditure through multiplication by energy expenditure per heartbeat of individual animals. To partition the activity energy cost, an estimate of ME intake or measures of changes in body energy status and milk energy yield are needed to determine other sources of heat to be subtracted from total energy expenditure. These methods create the opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of factors influencing the feeding behavior of goats and the relationships with levels and efficiencies of production.

Feed intake and growth performance of goats fed with Napier grass and oil palm frond supplemented with soya waste

“…Goats are selective feeders and their food intake can be reduced under confinement; therefore, careful attention should be observed when determining ad libitum intake (Goetsch et al 2010). Fedele et al (2002) observed that the DM intake of free choice goats increased by 12% compared to those under control treatment.…”

Sources of carbohydrates in the ingestive behavior of feedlot steers

“…According to Epps (2002), cattle are animals of twilight habit; that is, they are more active at nightfall and at dawn, which are the times when they present their peaks of feeding. Like sheep and goat, cattle can also adequate their feeding behavior according to type, availability, and chemical characteristics of the feed in order to meet their needs (Goetsch et al, 2009).…”

Mountain pastures and grasslands in the SW Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan — Floristic patterns, environmental gradients, phytogeography, and grazing impact

“…Furthermore, the number of goats has steadily increased over recent years (Borchardt et al 2010). Goats pose a major threat to the sensitive ecosystem due to their characteristic feeding habits (Goetsch et al 2010). However, as goats are officially banned from the investigated pastures (State Forest Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic 1996), it is difficult to obtain reliable information on their amount.…”

“…Schmidt, M. 2005, Schmidt, K. 2007. In particular, the rising numbers of goats, which strongly harm the shrub and tree layer, and prevent natural regeneration (Fernandez-Lugo et al 2009, Goetsch et al 2010, is an object of great concern.…”