Thesis: Behavioural patterns of heifers under intensive and extensive continuous grazing on species-rich pasture in the Czech Republic Author: doc. Mgr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D. Abstract The consumption of food is one of the most fundamental activities in all animals and takes its ultimate part in maximizing an animal's inclusive fitness. Foraging response mechanisms issue essentially from animal intrinsic characteristics, animal's cognitive abilities and environment, namely quantity and quality of available food resources. Understanding of animal's foraging decisions is not possible without the knowledge of other types of behaviour and factors they affect it. Therefore, the aim of the investigation was to evaluate heifers' behavioural pattern on species-rich semi-natural pasture under a continuous intensive (IG) and extensive (EG) grazing regime as this is currently the most extensive management system employed in central Europe. Ten or eight (IG), and six or four (EG) heifers were continuously stocked in two completely randomized blocks from June to late September in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007. Swards were maintained at a target height of 5 and 10 cm, respectively. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and other activities were monitored during 24-hour observations, and grazing, chewing and ruminating rates..
