Foraging strategies of sheep and goats under semi-intensive management in Botswana

Abstract

Diet selection of sheep and goats was determined seasonally using the microhistological technique to assess their trophic diversities, diet overlapping and preferences between the two species. The trophic diversities of both sheep and goats were higher in the wet than in the dry season. During both seasons sheep had higher trophic diversities than goats. Diet overlapping was higher during the dry season and lower during the wet season. Preference of forage by sheep and goats was influenced by season. Sheep, during the wet season preferred grasses and forbs and rejected browse, but preferred all forage classes during the dry season. Goats, on the other hand, preferred all forage classes during the wet season and preferred only browse during the dry season