Food and feeding behaviour of cattle and ponies in the New Forest, Hampshire

摘要: (1) Foraging behaviour auad composition of diet free-ranging cattle and ponies were investigated in the New Forest Hampshire. Both are preferential grazers spent most their time feeding on various natural improved grasslands Forest. (2) Cattle showed a relatively constant pattern use habitat throughout year with heavy emphasis streamside (70-80%/0 foraging observations) extensive heathland (wet heaths summer, dry heath winter). Feeding other communities was slight. (3) Species also similar year. Grasses (and supplementary hay or straw winter) constituted 70-80%/0 all months, balance made up heather (both Calluna vilgaris Erica spp.). No items contributed more than 3%/0 at any time. (4) By contrast, marked seasonality vegetation. Improved important year, but wet heaths, bogs acid clearly seasonal use, matching growth Molinia caerulea each community. Ponies increased browse materials during winter thus gorsebrake deciduous woodland that (5) Diet variation. Summer diet, like cattle, primarily grasses (80-90%/0) caerulea, species scarcely eaten by to 20%/, this Over winter, percentage grass declined c. 50%10; compensatory increase noted amount consumed, notably gorse (Ulex europaeus) holly (Ilex aquifjlium). (6) During growing season, pony significantly correlated productivity digestible nitrogen content forage species. It is suggested can adjust ensure maximum intake matter high nutritional quality season. Lack flexibility may be related ruminal physiology social constraints.