Abstract:
The study was aimed at investigating the factors affecting the feeding behaviour of 3 free ranging
Tswana and 3 Boer goat does in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Feeding was
observed and recorded during winter (cool dry season) and the summer (hot wet season). Observations included the
following categories: browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities (NFA). Browsing activity included bi-pedal
stance (recorded separately) and represented the browsing of all woody species. Tree/Bush species browsed at the
time of recording were visually identified and recorded separately. Grazing activity represented the grazing of
grasses without the identification or recording of species. Non-feeding activities include separate recordings of
walking, standing, lying and drinking. Results showed goats spent 21.9 %, 44.7 % and 33.3 % of their day on
browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities. Goats spent more time on NFA in the cold-dry season (68.8) than the
hot-wet season (31.9). Though diurnal variations were observed across breed and season in terms of browsing and
non feeding activities, no diurnal variations were found between the breeds. Knowledge of seasonal and breed
variations in feeding behaviour of goats is fundamental to the development of management strategies for small scale
farmers aimed at optimal and sustained use of the natural vegetation.
