Memory and food intake in sheep: Effects of previous exposure to straw on intake and behaviour later in life
2007
Odoi, F N | Owen, E
The ban on open-air burning of agricultural by-products by the European Union created disposal problems on many farms. Success was limited in attempts at feeding agricultural by-products like cereal straws to previously grazed livestock. This initial reluctance to accept unfamiliar feeds was also reported when livestock were fed whole-grain cereals in drought, or when grazed on new pastures and shrubs. It is suggested that previous exposure to feed might speed up the rate at which it is accepted, particularly if such experiences take place at pre-weaning. This study aimed at establishing the veracity of this assertion, and whether an early learning experience is carried over into adulthood. Two feeding trails were carried out with lambs not exposed (NE) to straw and those given access to straw at 12 weeks of age for either 10 (E-10) or 28 (E-28) days. At 24 weeks (Experiment 1), 10 lambs from each of the three treatment groups were tested, over 21 days, on their readiness to accept straw as feed. At 36 weeks (Experiment 2), another batch of lambs (from the E-28 and NE groups only) were similarly tested. For each, the lambs were penned individually (in view of lambs from their own treatment group) and also offered a concentrate supplement to meet daily nutrient requirements. In both experiments, intake of straw OM, N and DOM, as well as leaf to stem ratio in reject straw, were assessed for each penned lamb. Animal behaviour pattern was monitored once every 5 min, over an 8-h period, immediately after first confinement. Frequency of eating, idling, ruminating, or drinking were all found to be significantly greater (P
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