The diurnal variation of wool-biting behavior in housed sheep

Huang, Chen‐Yu; Takeda, Kazuhisa

doi:10.2508/chikusan.87.243

Cited by 1 publication

(9 citation statements)

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“…wool-biting behavior; this was in agreement with the results of Huang and Takeda (2016b), which showed that rolled hay was effective at repressing woolbiting behavior post-feeding. However, there was no statistical difference in the frequency of wool-biting found between treatments containing greater proportions of rolled hay, indicating that the effect of rolled hay in repressing wool-biting behavior is dependent solely on its presence in the daily feed.…”

Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The results indicated that the wool-biting behavior of housed sheep is a kind of redirected behavior, and also supported Huang and Takeda (2016b) in that rolled hay had the effect of repressing wool-biting behavior, by providing appropriate oral stimulation. The results indicated that the wool-biting behavior of housed sheep is a kind of redirected behavior, and also supported Huang and Takeda (2016b) in that rolled hay had the effect of repressing wool-biting behavior, by providing appropriate oral stimulation.…”

Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 60%

“…However, on the other hand, the result also indicated that wool-biting behavior in sheep is persistent, since they also carried out wool-biting in the treatment with 100% rolled hay, corresponding with the results of Huang and Takeda (2016b). This indicated not only that wool-biting behavior was repressed by the consumption of rolled hay, but also suggests that sheep were easily satisfied once provided with any amount of appropriate oral stimulation.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 65%

“…Each ewe was identified by an ear tag and a collar bearing an individual number, and all ewes had previously performed wool-biting behavior (Huang & Takeda 2016b). The ewes in each group were raised in a single pen, in which they were visually isolated from the ewes in each of the other groups.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The flock density in each pen was approximately one ewe per 2 m 2 (Animal Research Review Panel (ARRP) 2010), and the floors were covered with 10 cm-deep long-cut straw. Each ewe was identified by an ear tag and a collar bearing an individual number, and all ewes had previously performed wool-biting behavior (Huang & Takeda 2016b). Four treatment diets differing in the proportion of rolled hay (mainly consisting of timothy grass (Phleum pratense) and baled hay (tall fescue: Festuca arundinacea) were prepared: 100% rolled hay; 67% rolled hay with 33% baled hay; 33% rolled hay with 67% baled hay; and 100% baled hay.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of the proportion of roughage fed as rolled and baled hay on repressing wool‐biting behavior in housed sheep

Huang

Takeda

2017

Animal Science Journal

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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.

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Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Figuresupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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