Measurement of feed intake in sheep using “off the shelf" technologies

Title
Measurement of feed intake in sheep using “off the shelf" technologies
Publication Date
2025-06
Author(s)
Fitzgerald, P T
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5866-7102
Email: pfitzge6@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:pfitzge6
Hergenhan, R L
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9783-4906
Email: rhergen4@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:rhergen4
van der Werf, J H J
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2512-1696
Email: jvanderw@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jvanderw
Editor
Editor(s): Hatcher, Sue
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Place of publication
Armidale, Australia
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/71019
Abstract

Feed intake and weight in sheep were measured using technologies designed for the pig industry to determine the suitability and applicability of said technology for sheep. Animal behaviour patterns in relation to proportion of animals accessing the feeder and frequency of visits per day as well as feed intake and weight parameters such as mean, variation, and repeatability are presented. Lessons learned regarding participation rates of animals (over time) and modifications to the system to enhance participation are discussed. Finally estimates of the numbers of days on feed required for valid results on measuring feed intake are presented. The system, with modifications, was found to be a suitable technology for measuring feed intake in ewes and lambs and has the potential to be deployed as a mobile unit to capture feed intake on industry animals.

Link
Citation
Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.26, p. 18-21
ISSN
1328-3227
Start page
18
End page
21

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