COMPARISON OF THE BEHAVIOR OF GOATS AND SHEEP ON AN ERODED HILL PASTURE

In contrast to sheep, which have traditionally been farmed on New Zeal and hill pastures, goats have gained a reputation as causing soil eros ion. To investigate this difference a trial was conducted during sprin g and summer of 1991/92 observing the behaviour of cashmere-producing goats (Capra hircus) and Romney sheep (Ovis aries) on an eroded hill p asture. A fixed remote-controlled video camera was used to record the animals' behaviour while on the eroded area. Tapes were later viewed a nd time and animal activity recorded. During the spring, two observati on periods, 8 weeks apart, were conducted on five does, each with twin kids at foot, and five ewes, each with twin lambs at foot. During the summer the behaviour of ten weaned kids was compared with that of ten weaned lambs. Does and kids spent significantly (P<0.05) more time on the eroded area than ewes and lambs. The predominant activities of th e does and ewes when on the erosion during spring observations were ly ing and standing. Lying, standing and grazing the edge of the eroded a rea were the main activities of the kids and lambs during all observat ion periods. The mean number of kids on the erosion at any one time wa s greater (P<0.001) than the number of lambs in both spring and summer . It was concluded that differences in the behaviour of goats and shee p, in relation to their presence on existing surface erosion, do exist . It was apparent that the potential of goats to exacerbate existing s urface erosion was greater than that of sheep, particularly when kids were at foot.