Feeding Characteristics of Livestock Species
and Potential Impact on the Environment

Species | Natural feed resources | Specific abilities | Feed intake behaviour | Impact on environment | Impact prolonged exposure
poultry | seeds insects grass & weeds | sharp look at short distance small sharp beck long toes, strong nails | pick up small particles soil scratching and trampling in search for seeds and insects | elimination of lower vegetation cover strong reduction of soil fauna | bare soil under shrubs and trees poor soil fauna
pigs | roots and tubers fruits and seeds grass and weeds faeces other species | strong nose sensitive nose big strong tusks | turning over soil in search of feed up root feed | turning over of soil and vegetation damaging shrubs and trees | Ploughed soil mixed with residues dead remnants of shrubs and trees
sheep | young leaves and sprouts of grass and herbs pods and seeds | small beck sensitive lips strong legs long distance runners | select young leaves and sprouts from standing grass vegetation can cover a large area | elimination of perennial grasses | standing hay annuals scattered shrubs and trees
goats | young leaves and sprouts of grass, shrubs and trees pods and seeds | small beck strong jaws sensitive lips can stand on hind legs climbing abilities | select bark, young leaves and sprouts from standing (thorn) shrubs and trees reach poorly accessible sources | elimination young shrubs and trees | standing hay old shrubs and trees
cattle | young mature and dry grass straws | sensitive tongue sensitive smell large beck | select palatable species avoids dung patches high intake per bite requires high density of available feed | elimination palatable grasses formation of cattle tracks and open spaces | bare soil on tracks open spaces with non palatable grass and herbs alternated with bush formations
camels | young leaves and sprouts of shrubs and trees; pods; young mature and dry grass | Sensitive lips Sensitive tongue long legs long neck long distance runner | Select young leaves and sprouts from shrubs and trees at higher layers of vegetation Grazes grass can cover large areas | elimination of young and mature shrubs and trees elimination of perennial grass | open plains with annual grasses and remnants of old shrubs and trees
Equines | Young sprouts of grass and herbs Standing hay | Teeth also in upper jaw Sensitive nose Sensitive smell | Cut very short from ground Browse including barks Avoid patches with own faeces | Elimination of palatable grass and herbs; stands of old grass around faeces patches | Poor palatable creepers or bare soil alternated with patches of old grass; old shrubs and trees

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