Paddock shape effects on grazing behavior and efficiency in sheep

Two grazing trials were conducted during early winter (December 1996-Januar y 1997) and spring (April-May 1997) to evaluate the effect of shape of past ure on forage use and behavior of grazing sheep (Ovis aries). Two treatment s were tested, square and rectangular paddock, with 2 replicates for each t reatment of 9 ewes each, Groups were homogeneous for age and weight, Paddoc k size furnished 10 m(2) per sheep per day, Each paddock was divided into 8 equal plots to determine herbage intake and grazing efficiency along the b oundary and in the middle of paddocks, The shape of paddock affected sheep grazing efficiency and herbage intake both in the winter and in the spring. Because of a greater amount of herbage destroyed within boundary plots, th e ewes in rectangular paddocks grazed less time, had lower herbage intake a nd used forage less efficiently than ewes in square paddocks, These results suggest that the shape of pasture can affect the behavior and herbage inta ke of sheep grazing in small paddocks and indicate that square paddocks sho uld be used for research studies on sheep grazing behavior.