# Effects of Forage-to-Concentrate Ratio on Abnormal Stereotypic Behavior in Lambs and Goat Kids

## TL;DR

This study examines how different forage-to-concentrate diets affect abnormal behaviors in lambs and goat kids, finding that low forage ratios increase such behaviors, especially in goats.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into how forage-to-concentrate ratios specifically influence stereotypic behaviors in small ruminants, highlighting species-specific differences.

## Key findings

- Goat kids showed more abnormal behaviors like bar biting and chain chewing in low forage diets.
- Lambs exhibited higher wool-biting behaviors under low forage conditions.
- Cortisol levels were higher in animals fed high concentrate diets, indicating stress.

## Abstract

The effects of the forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio in lambs and goat kids’ daily diets on growth performance, stereotypical behavior, and blood biochemical parameters were investigated. Animal behaviors and feed and water intake were monitored closely for eight hours a week in individual pens. The normal and abnormal stereotypic behaviors observed in lambs and goat kids were recorded either as ratios in time sampling or in continuous sampling. The results indicate that normal and abnormal stereotypic behaviors varied between the groups. Forage feeding and concentrate feeding behaviors aligned with the F:C ratios, while rumination behavior correlated with the roughage ratio in the diet. Lambs exhibited higher frequencies of bar biting, crib biting, and wool-biting behaviors, whereas goat kids displayed more bar biting, crib biting, bucket biting, and chain chewing behaviors in the 20:80 group than other groups. Comparing normal and abnormal behaviors in lambs and goat kids, it appears that goat kids are more affected by the low forage ratio in their daily diet than lambs. Additionally, repetitive grooming behavior in goat kids might transform into abnormal stereotypic behavior, raising concerns about animal welfare.

A crucial component of small ruminant production, particularly where intensive systems are becoming more prevalent, is determining the forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio in their daily diets. The effects of the F:C ratio in lambs and goat kids’ daily diets on growth, stereotypical behavior, and blood biochemical parameters were investigated. Eighteen Tahirova sheep lambs and 18 Turkish Saanen goat kids were used, divided into three groups using the following F:C ratios: 20:80, 60:40, and 80:20. Growth rates, weight gains, and feed conversion ratios were determined. Urea nitrogen, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, creatine kinase, and cortisol hormones were measured in blood samples. In lambs, growth remained consistent across F:C groups. In goat kids, however, the 20:80 group showed superior growth and weight gain. Based on the F:C ratios, behavioral differences were found in forage feeding, rumination, water consumption, and standing activities. Similarly, the 20:80 group displayed higher rates of bar biting, crib biting, and wool biting in lambs, as well as bar biting, crib biting, bucket biting, and chain chewing in goat kids. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in the 80:20 group than in the 20:80 group for both species. Insufficient forage can cause abnormal stereotypical behaviors, which negatively impact animal welfare.