Authors : M.E. Martinez and R. De la Barra
Abstract: Chilota and Suffolk Down are the main sheep breeds used for productive purposes in Chiloe Archipelago. Compared to Suffolk Down, Chilota shows a better performance in the harsh environment of the islands as a result of its adaptative process since the introduction 500 years ago. Differences in diet selection between breeds have been described before but an accurate tool to quantify between breed differences in diet selection is needed, the n-alkane technique in combination with microhistological procedures was used. The results show that there are differences in forage selection between Chilota and Suffolk Down adult sheep grazing in naturalized grasslands of Chiloe Archipelago and that the n-alkane method in combination with microhistology can be successfully used to estimate diet selection in different sheep breeds.
M.E. Martinez and R. De la Barra, 2014. Diet Composition of Two Sheep Breeds Grazing in Chiloe Archipelago, Chile. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 871-876.