Diet selection of three free ranging sheep breeds in the highland savannah of Namibia during the growing season

Abstract

Abstract by author:

The diet selection of three free ranging breeds of sheep (Damara, Dorper and Karakul) was determined at Neudamm Farm during the summer season. The selection of diet was determined using the bite counting technique (Narjisse, 1991). A total number of l0 sheep per breed were used for the project, of which three clearly marked individuals were used per breed to collect data over a period of six weeks, 29 March 2001 to 04 May 2001 in the morning and afternoon. Prior to the commencement of the project the composition of the veld was determined by means of the step-point method (Tothil, 1987). Similarly, the weight of all the sheep was recorded both at the beginning and at the end of the project. No significant difference (P. 05) was noticed within or between breeds, during the different hours of grazing (mornings and afternoons). Neither was there any significant differences (P. 05) within or between breeds in diet selection. Grass species were utilized to a larger extends than any other group of plants, constituting 80 percent of the sheep diet, while bushes/shrubs and herbs constituted only 17. 36 percent and 2. 22 percent respectively. Moreover, it was observed that Damara sheep breed had a relatively more diverse foraging habit than the Karakul and Dorper breeds. Acacia melifera (13 percent), Acacia hereroensis (4. 10 percent), Tarchananthus camphorates (2. 73 percent) was observed in the diet selected by the Damara sheep whereas only 3. 52 percent, 1. 68 percent, 0. 57 percent and 4, 22 percent, 4. 00 percent, 1. 81 percent from the same plants species was observed in the diet of Dorper and Karakul breed respectively. All the breeds were selective in their diet, selecting most palatable and green leafy plant species. Dorper and Karakul breeds were more selective than the Damara breed