Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Stockmen were little concerned with the effect of environment on animals as long as they
grazed on pastures or ranges. But rising feed,land, and labor costs,along with the concentration
of animals into smaller spaces,changed all this
In sheep, goats, and other animals, environmental control involves space requirements, light,
air temperature, relative humidity,air velocity,wet bedding,ammonia buildup,dust, odors, and
manure disposal. Control or modification of these factors offers possibilities for improving
animal performance. Although there is still much to be learned about environmental control, the
gap between awareness and application is becoming smaller.
In the present era, pollution control is the first and most important requisite in locating a new
livestock establishment, or in continuing and old one. The location should be such as to avoid (1)
complaints from neighbors about odors, insects, and dust, and (2) pollution of surfaced and
underground water. Without knowledge of animal behavior, and without pollution control, no
amount of capital , native intelligence, and sweat will make for a successful livestock enterprise.
In summary, selection provides a long-term answer to behavioral problems induced by the
environment. Animal need to be bred and selected for adapttion to their environments.
Feed and nutrition,weather, health and stress are environmental factors of special importances
and the should be included in any discussion of animal behavior.
Feed and Nutrition
Sheep and goats may be affected by (1) too little feed, (2) rations that are too low in one or
more nutrients, (3) an imbalance between certain nutrients, or (4) the physical form of the rationfor example , it may be ground too finely.
Forced production and the feeding of forages and grains which are often produced on leached
and depleted soils have created many problems in nutrition. These conditions have been further
aggravated through the increased confinement of animals, many animals being confined to lots
all or a large part of year. un