Composition and cell wall content of diets selected by Roe deer, Red deer, Highland cattle and Konik ponies

摘要

Based on described differences in morphological characteristics and differences in the capacity to digest fiber (Hofmann, 1973, The Ruminant Stomach) it can be expected that, within the class of ruminants, concentrate selectors or browsers (Roe deer)will prefer to comsume less fibrous plant species than bulk and roughage feeders or grazers (Highland cattle) while intermediate feeders (Red deer) should take an intermediate position. As a large hindgut fermenter the horse (Konik pony) is expected to compare well with the ox.