* Animal Science- Lab 2- Alexis Ramsdell *

Observing Grazing Livestock

Short Answer Question: How many teeth do cattle and sheep have
and how are they organized in the buccal cavity (mouth)? Draw a
picture of the teeth, top and bottom.
Does this differ from humans? If so, why?

Materials/Methods: Select 3 grazing ruminants that are grazing

together. At 3-minute intervals record the grazing behavior of all 3
animals, and their relationship?
How many bites are they taking? Where are they grazing and why? Are
they watching their peers? How does their head move? When do they
walk and when do they stop to graze? Are they eating grass? What
sounds does a grazing animal make?

Procedures:
1) Write a detailed description of the animals you selected.
2) List your detailed observations for each animal at 3 minute
intervals for 90 minutes
3) Lastly, provide a detailed summary of the behaviors you
observed during this 90-minute period. Specifically describe the
process of locating and consuming plants. What are the motions
of the head, lips, and tongue? Describe what plants and plant
parts are being selected.

I chose to observe 2 goats and a chicken over a 3-day time span in 60-
minute intervals all adding up to 180 minutes. I observed in morning,
afternoon, and evening to get a good idea of the animals daily
routines.

Day 1: Wake-up time! (6:00-7:00 AM)

0 MINUTES: The goats seem really riled up. I guess being inside the go-
tel (goat hotel) all evening drives makes them a little stir-crazy; unlike
the chicken who is always excited in the morning.

5 MIN: The animals must be fed separately- otherwise they would try to
eat each others food. So before they can play together in the pasture
they need to finish eating.

10 MIN: The sheep seem very interested in the chickens food. But
chicken feed would definitely give them an upset stomach. Luckily they
cannot access the chickens food very easily.
15 MIN: The chicken antagonizes the goats over the food. He can climb
anywhere he wants so of course he choses to crap wherever he wants.
Which drives the goats crazy. The chicken will literally sit on the edge
of the goats manger and lay droppings.

20 MIN: Seems the goats wont eat soiled food so fresh hay is now
necessary. In a normal feeding routine the chicken wouldnt have the
opportunity to be close enough to soil the goats clean hay. But since
Im observing them both they were closer than usual giving the
chicken this opportunity to cause mischief.

30 MIN: After adding new hay the goats seem much happier! Now they
are having a hay feast! The chicken is just watching and running
around anxiously.

35 MIN: Im very surprised that the goats arent sick of eating yet. Hay
must be delicious lol. Then again they may just be worried that the
chicken will soil it again.

45: When moving the animals into the pasture Im very glad the yard is
fenced in well. The goats are pygmies so the panels had to have very
small openings to keep the kids from getting loose. The goat panels are
nice but I prefer electric wiring to make sure they goats stay within the
fence.

60: The animals are beginning to explore it just seems like they have to
get comfortable first. People are the same way when they change
locations so its understandable.

DAY 2: Playtime! (3:00-4:00 P.M.)

0 MINUTES: The goats and chicken have been together in the pasture
before but normally there are more goats and chickens
involved/around. They seem on edge with this different situation.

3 MIN: The chicken seems very curious. The goats have chosen to start
using the bathroom. And of course the chicken is lurking close by.

7 MIN: I think its disgusting, but the chickens cut down on waste from
the goats. They even eat the poop with bugs and parasites in it around
the goats!

10 MIN: The chicken continues to eat goat poop. He doesnt seem to

care what in it! Worms, larvae, all kinds of weird stuff! I think its gross
but it helps keep the goats parasite free.
15 MIN: The goats and chicken provide each other with companionship.
Even though they agitate each other sometimes. In this particular
situation forming strong interspecies bonds is crucial. To keep them
happy they need to get along.

20 MIN: The chicken ran circles around the goat. Im honestly worried
that the goat may squish the chickens feet if he gets too close.

23 MIN: Well the goats got too close and got a nice little sharp peck on
the muzzle! Maybe they will be more careful and try to keep their
distance next time.

26 MIN: Seems like a peck is the most trouble the goats will get from
their chicken friend.

30 MIN: The animals seem to have calmed down. They are just grazing
separately now. Though the chickens grazing is more like pecking the
ground for snacks.

35 MIN: The goats are being very playful! Its good they have each
other to stay entertained. The chicken seems lonely but he will be back
with his friends later.

40 MIN: The chicken seems a little anxious. I definitely think he misses

the other chickens.

42 MIN: The chickens seem to only be able to scratch up things to

graze/eat while ranging. While the goats find food every step they
take.

44 MIN: Well the chicken found an old corncob and I thought he had a
snake or something at first. Definitely spooked me a little bit!

50 MIN: The goats are laying down relaxing now. The chicken is having
his own adventure around the pasture. He seems very interested with
a bird sitting on the fence.

55 MIN: The goats were lying in the sun minding their own business
and the chicken decided it was time to climb on them. I think he was
trying to pick bugs off them though so he had a good reason!

60 MIN: Well the chicken just crapped on the goat. I guess a chicken
really is liable to poop anywhere!
DAY 3: Bedtime! (7:00-8:00 PM)

0 MINUTES: Its time to put the animals in for the evening. I think they
prefer to free range together to being separated. I feel having separate
places to sleep is necessary though.

10 MIN: The chickens need the chicken coop to stay warm and to be
protected from predators. They especially need some time free of the
goats.

20 MIN: Same goes for the goats, they require shelter free of the
chickens. As roosting birds will leave droppings on whatever is below.
Plus they scratch up soiled bedding which can be messy.
25 MIN: Its always important to close the chicken coop doors. Mostly
because curious goats could easily climb right on in and eat the
chickens food.

30 MIN: By providing them with separate housing it encourages

chicken to sleep in their coop throughout the night; while still sharing
the pastures with the goats during the day.

33 MIN: The chickens are much more challenging to round up than the
goats. Sometimes help from the dog is necessary to round them up.

37 MIN: All of the chickens are now in the coop, including the one Ive
been watching.

40 MIN: The chickens are eating now. A long day playing in the pasture
builds up a hunger Id say!

44 MIN: Some of the chickens are beginning to lie down, but most are
still eating.

47 MIN: Putting the goats away is much easier than the chickens. I
wonder why they all just follow one another. Its convenient for me but
I dont see what they get out of it.

52 MIN: The goats are eating now, they seem very happy to be
separate from the chickens.

60 MIN: I think all the playing wears the goats out. They are almost all
laying down already.