The special senses in grazing animals. II. Smell, taste, and touch and dietary habits in sheep

Abstract

The influence of impairment of the senses of smell, taste, and touch, either singly or in combination, on the dietary habits of sheep was studied in a series of experiments.

Marked changes in the relative acceptability of species, or strains of a species, occur when each of these senses is impaired. Significant increases and decreases in herbage intake are obtained on pure stands of species as a result of sensory impairment. All the senses are of some importance when all pasture conditions are considered. In specific situations, however, a single one of the senses is often of paramount importance.

Impairment of all three senses did not alter animal productivity over the year, which indicates that the special senses are not always critically involved in the total intake of nutrients. An exception is under prolonged dry pasture conditions.