scholarly journals Activity time budget patterns of sheep and goats co-grazing on semi-natural species-rich dry grassland

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pokorná ◽  
P. Hejcmanová ◽  
M. Hejcman ◽  
V. Pavlů
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Activity Time ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Grassland Community ◽  
Perennial Plant

Activity time budget patterns and grazing response to sward and environmental conditions were investigated for paddocks of sheep and goats co-grazing for conservation purposes on a semi-natural species-rich dry grassland community endangered by shrub and tall perennial plant encroachment in a protected nature reserve in South Moravia (Czech Republic). Grazing was conducted by a rotational stocking system for 14 weeks in late grazing season in 2008 with 60 dry ewes and 20 goats. Twelve ewes and four goats were observed; grazing, ruminating, idling and other activities (salt licking, social interactions, walking), along with topographical position in the paddock were recorded at 5-minute intervals within 14 hours of daylight. Sheep and goats did not differ in their principal activity time budgets, such as the average total daylight time spent grazing (sheep: 8.57 h, goats: 8.59 h), ruminating (sheep: 1.42 h, goats: 1.44 h), or idling (sheep: 3.23 h, goats: 3.18 h), the duration of bouts of each activity, or the number of bouts of grazing and ruminating. There was no pattern in activity time budgets indicating dynamics in progressing season, nor was there a response to daily average temperature or to paddock size. Sheep and goats showed similar responses to groundcover of particular plant functional types. The animals showed a positive trend in response of total daylight grazing time to grass available biomass and a negative response of total daylight grazing time to herbaceous biomass for both sheep and goats. The total daylight grazing time was independent of availability of woody plants. Goats devoted more time (1.51 h) to other activities than sheep (1.34 h), especially to social interactions and salt licking. On the other hand, sheep spent proportionally more time walking. Both sheep and goats showed similar patterns in spatial use of paddocks on hill slopes, spending the most time in the middle part and the least time in the lower part of paddocks. 

Time-budget variations in relation to density-dependent social interactions in female and yearling male fallow deer during the rut

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 971-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Pélabon ◽  
Petr E. Komers
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Operational Sex Ratio ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Male Density

We investigated time-budget variations among female and yearling (socially immature 1.5-year-old) male fallow deer (Dama dama) during the rutting season in six captive populations in central Sweden. The effects of population density, male density, and operational sex ratio on time budgets were analyzed. Although no differences were apparent before the rut, populations differed in the time budgets of females and yearling males during the rut. During this period, the time spent by females in feeding and resting activities of yearling males decreased with increasing population density, whereas feeding and resting activities of yearling males decreased with increasing male density. Behaviour of adult males during the rut and interactions of adult males with other animals appeared to be the principal factors affecting the time budgets of both females and yearling males. Our results show that density-dependent effects may occur through social interactions alone, regardless of the effects on resource depletion. The decrease in the proportion of time spent in restoring (lying and grazing) behaviours represents an energy cost for both females and young males. Given the timing of the rut just before the winter, this cost may negatively effect the condition of individuals.

scholarly journals Equine Activity Time Budgets: The Effect of Housing and Management Conditions on Geriatric Horses and Horses with Chronic Orthopaedic Disease

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1867
Author(s):  
Zsofia Kelemen ◽  
Herwig Grimm ◽  
Claus Vogl ◽  
Mariessa Long ◽  
Jessika M. V. Cavalleri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Budget ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Activity Time ◽  
Automated Tracking ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Domestic Environments ◽  
Tracking Device ◽  
Movement Activities

Housing and management conditions strongly influence the health, welfare and behaviour of horses. Consequently, objective and quantifiable comparisons between domestic environments and their influence on different equine demographics are needed to establish evidence-based criteria to assess and optimize horse welfare. Therefore, the present study aimed to measure and compare the time budgets (=percentage of time spent on specific activities) of horses with chronic orthopaedic disease and geriatric (≥20 years) horses living in different husbandry systems using an automated tracking device. Horses spent 42% (range 38.3–44.8%) of their day eating, 39% (range 36.87–44.9%) resting, and 19% (range 17–20.4%) in movement, demonstrating that geriatric horses and horses suffering from chronic orthopaedic disease can exhibit behaviour time budgets equivalent to healthy controls. Time budget analysis revealed significant differences between farms, turn-out conditions and time of day, and could identify potential areas for improvement. Horses living in open-air group housing on a paddock had a more uniform temporal distribution of feeding and movement activities with less pronounced peaks compared to horses living in more restricted husbandry systems.

Spatial genotypical diversity of Sesleria albicans (Poaceae) in a dry grassland community

Biologia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Janišová ◽  
Dušan Gömöry
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Correct Interpretation ◽  
Directional Growth ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Grassland Community ◽  
Branching Intensity ◽  
Sesleria Albicans

AbstractSpatial genotypical diversity of Sesleria albicans Kit. ex Schultes was studied in a dry grassland community by isozyme analysis. The aim was to identify the genetical individuals within the studied population and to assess the species’ clonal growth parameters. Vegetative mobility and branching intensity were measured in field for the sake of the correct interpretation of the results. Five isozyme systems were analyzed and interpreted (MDH, MNR, 6-PGDH, SkDH, LAP). Altogether, 98 distinct isozyme profiles were identified within an area of 2 m2. Average genotype identity rapidly decreased with distance. Several very remote ramets (more than 1 m) belonging to the same genet were identified. The longest distance between ramets of the same genotype was 153 cm. With average annual rhizome increment of 13.59 mm assessed for the studied population the age of genet with the most remote ramets exceeded 56 years by a bi-directional growth and 112 years by a growth in single direction. Number of daughter tillers produced by a tiller per year was 0.67 (branching intensity, median) and the median of tiller life span was 2.5 years. The high genotypical diversity of S. albicans in the studied population could be a result of both, regular and continuous seed production with subsequent seedling recruitment and long life span of genets.

Seasonal Habitat Use by Nubian Ibex (Capra Nubiana) Evaluated with Behavioral Indicators

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon A. Tadesse ◽  
Burt P. Kotler
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Time Allocation ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Focal Observation

Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) prefer steep terrain in their landscape to reduce risks of predation and human nuisance disturbances. They also use vigilance and time allocation to manage risk of predation. We studied time budgets and habitat selection of Nubian ibex to: (1) identify the habitat variables to which Nubian ibex were behaviorally responsive; (2) investigate how time budget responses of Nubian ibex were related to season, slope condition, group size, and sex-age structure; and (3) develop behavioral-based models that account for the variations in the behaviors of Nubian ibex across the landscape and seasons.To quantify time budgets, we took regular field observations on focal individuals of Nubian ibex classified according to their habitat, group size, sex, and age. For each focal observation, we quantified environmental variables that were thought to influence the behavioral responses of ibex. Then, we developed behavioral models by correlating the proportion of behaviors measured in focal animal observations to the influential environmental variables. The behaviors of Nubian ibex significantly varied with sex and age structure, season, habitat type, and slope conditions. Adult females are more vigilant than adult male ibex, especially in the spring. This correlates with breeding and nursing activities. Based on the characteristics of the habitat, ibex behave to minimize risks of predation and human nuisance disturbances while maximizing their food intake.

Effects of Supplemental Food on the Behaviour and Paternity Status of Male Indigo Buntings (Passerina CyaNea)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Brad T. McLeod ◽  
Gary Ritchison
Keyword(s):  
Time Budget ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Supplemental Food ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Passerina Cyanea ◽  
And Control

Breeding is energetically costly and, if energy-limited, birds may alter their time budgets, spending less time engaged in some activities and more time in others. Investigators who have provided breeding birds with supplemental food have noted changes in time budgets, but the extent and types of changes have been found to vary among species. Our objective was to determine how food supplementation might influence the time budgets and paternity status of male Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea). We studied Indigo Buntings from 8 May to 15 August 2009 in Madison County, Kentucky. Territories of male Indigo Buntings (n=30) were randomly assigned as either food supplemented (n=8) or controls (n=22). During time-budget observations, all behaviours were noted. To determine paternity status, blood samples were collected from adults and nestlings at 16 nests. Males with feeders in their territories spent significantly less time foraging and more time vocalising (chip notes) than males without feeders. Time spent singing and mate guarding by treatment and control males did not differ. Differences in the proportion of extra-pair young did not differ between nests in territories with and without supplemental food. Our results suggest that, when provided with supplemental food, male Indigo Buntings spend less time foraging and more time engaged in other activities. However, neither the presence of supplemental food nor differences in the behaviour of males in food-supplemented versus non-supplemented territories affected rates of extra-pair paternity.

Time budgets and synchrony of activities in muskoxen: the influence of sex, age, and season

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1628-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steeve D. Côté ◽  
James A. Schaefer ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Group Type ◽  
June July ◽  
Victoria Island

Synchrony of activities and time budgets of age–sex classes of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) was studied on Victoria Island in the Canadian High Arctic during late winter (April – late May), spring (late May – early June) and summer (mid-June – July). As revealed by the kappa (κ) coefficient of agreement, herd members exhibited significant synchrony in 79 of 82 groups. The degree of synchrony was not related to group size in mixed herds but decreased with group size in bachelor herds. Diversity in age–sex classes, group type (mixed versus bachelor), and season did not affect synchrony. However, synchrony was less among adult males than among other age–sex classes. Muskoxen were more synchronised at the start of activity bouts than at the end. As revealed by principal components analysis, calves tended to spend more time lying and standing and less time feeding than other age–sex classes. In addition, males in bachelor groups tended to feed more and rest less than males in mixed herds. Duration of active and lying bouts was not affected by age–sex class. Length of active bouts did not change with season, but lying bouts decreased in length significantly from late winter to spring and from spring to summer. We suggest that synchrony of activities maintains group cohesion but constrains the time budget of some group members, especially adult males.

scholarly journals Lameness, Activity Time-Budgets, and Estrus Expression in Dairy Cattle

2008 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 4552-4559 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Walker ◽  
R.F. Smith ◽  
J.E. Routly ◽  
D.N. Jones ◽  
M.J. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Activity Time

Seed dispersal capacity of sheep and goats in a near-coastal dry grassland habitat

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 508-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Benthien ◽  
J. Bober ◽  
J. Castens ◽  
C. Stolter
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Sheep And Goats

scholarly journals Diurnal activity time budget of Père David's deer in Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve, China

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1397-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
杨道德 YANG Daode ◽  
李竹云 LI Zhuyun ◽  
李鹏飞 LI Pengfei ◽  
蒋志刚 JIANG Zhigang
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Diurnal Activity ◽  
Activity Time ◽  
National Nature Reserve ◽  
Père David’S Deer
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