Date of Award
5-2013
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
Advisor/Committee Chair
Gary S. Kleppel
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the health of sheep grazed in a quasi-wild landscape (Norman’s Kill Farm, an abandoned dairy) as part of a targeted grazing research project, to that of sheep in a conventional agricultural pasture setting (Longfield Farm). This study tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the health and nutrition of sheep in a domestic setting and those in a wild setting. Sheep on the quasi-wild landscape were healthier than those on the agricultural setting, having healthier body condition scores. The mean body condition scores of the sheep at Longfield was 3.48 with a standard deviation of 0.69, and at Norman’s Kill the mean body condition score was 3.30 with a standard deviation of 0.27. The Norman’s Kill flock had a more ideal body condition score (the standard is 3.0), as well as less variable body condition scores. The sheep also had access to and consumed a more diverse diet than those in the pastoral setting, as shown by the microhistological determination of the diet. It would appear that quasi-wild landscapes offer a more nutritionally diverse environment than conventional pastures, which, in turn, can produce healthier livestock.
Recommended Citation
Giroux, Corine, "Differences in the Health of Domesticated Sheep (Ovis aries) Pastured in Wild and Agricultural Landscapes" (2013). Biological Sciences. 18.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/honorscollege_biology/18