Abstract
THE results of several field experiments1 have indicated that the energy expenditure of sheep at pasture in equable climates is 1.1–2.0 times larger than that of stall-fed animals. The distances travelled by grazing sheep and the energy cost of locomotion have been measured2, and it appears that walking would increase the daily energy expenditure by 5–10 per cent. This leaves the energy cost of grazing per se and of the animal's reactions to its environment to be accounted for; the first measurements of the former can now be reported.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Coop, I. E., Proc. N.Z. Soc. Anim. Prod., 21, 79 (1961). Coop, I. E., and Hill, M. K., J. Agric. Sci., 58, 187 (1962). Lambourne, L. J., Proc. N.Z. Soc. Anim. Prod., 21, 92 (1961).
Cresswell, E., Animal Behaviour, 8, 32 (1960). Clapperton, J. L., Proc. Nutr. Soc., 20, 31 (1961).
Lassaigne, J., Chim. med., 22, 477 (1846).
Brouwer, E., Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Neerl., 6, 795 (1957).
Arnold, G. W., J. Brit. Grass. Soc., 17, 41 (1962).
Graham, N. McC., Proc. Austral. Soc. Animal Prod., 4, 138 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GRAHAM, N. Energy Expenditure of Grazing Sheep. Nature 196, 289 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/196289a0
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/196289a0