Re: grazers vs. browsers, was Re: vitamin B-12

[Guest guest]

I'm way behind on reading this list, so I apologize if

someone else has already answered this.....

>

> > > I believe it would be the same with other

> > > grazers and browsers.

> >

> > What is the differance between a grazer and

> browser? I love all the

> > farm info I get on this list What would you

> call what pastured

> > chickens do?

Typically, a grazer is an herbivore that eats

primarily grasses, non-woody herbs and other

low-growing grassland-type plants (as would be found

in prairies and meadows), but few leaves from trees

and bushes. Browsers tend to eat higher off the

ground, leaves and bark from trees, bushes and vines

(as would be found in scrubland or woods). There is

crossover - for instance, goats will graze from the

ground as well as browse for leaves and bark, horses

will nibble from trees and bushes (and fenceposts,

barn walls, stall doors), but eat primarily

pasture-type grasses, legumes and herbs if available,

deer will browse (especially on my rosebushes) and

graze (the grass in my yard). Cattle are more purely

grazers, and their mouth construction would make

browsing difficult (no top front teeth, not very

dextrous lips compared to horses and goats). I think

most herbivores would fall mainly into one category or

the other, but are also somewhat opportunistic.

I would say chickens forage. In my mind, the terms

grazing and browsing apply more to herbivores. I'd

say most omnivores, like chickens and pigs, forage and

hunt, by scratching, rooting and chasing, in addition

to some grazing of groundcover and browsing of shrubs

(but in a different way than cattle or goats, since

their mouths are very different).

Aubin

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