Effect of vetch (Vicia sativa) hay supplementation to Begait and Abergelle goats in northern Ethiopia III. Forage selection and behaviour

The study was conducted to determine the foraging and behavioural patterns of Begait and Abergelle goats supplemented with vetch hay. Female Begait and Abergelle goats were monitored while grazing/browsing for two consecutive days per month and two repeated years. A total of 24 (12 from each breed) goats were monitored by 4 observers, each observing 6 goats. Each goat was monitored for 5 min, recording its behaviour (grazing, browsing, walking, standing, hind leg standing, ruminating, lying) every 30 s. Recordings on type of feed eaten and species selection were taken. Vetch hay supplement was provided during evenings in their respective pens. A slight increase in percentage of time spent on browse was observed with increased level of vetch hay supplement during the period June–November. However, grass selection showed no clear association, although there was an increasing trend as the dry period proceeded from September to May. Higher percentage of hind leg standing and browsing of both Begait and Abergelle goats was observed in the rainy and early dry period (June–November), and increased percentage of grazing, walking and standing was observed as the dry period proceeded from September to May. There was no trend in time used for ruminating and lying in the field during the study period. This study suggests that Begait and Abergelle goats should be reared on semi-extensive management conditions to reduce unnecessary wandering during dry season and in browsing condition environments for better use of locally available browse feed resources. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.