The relationship between fineness of grinding of food and rumination
John G. Gordona1
a1 The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire
1. Five out of six sheep ruminated more in terms of the total time spent ruminating when fed their food (dried grass) cut into approximately 2 in. lengths, than when fed the same quantity and quality of food in the long (uncut) state or when ground to a meal.
2. Grinding to a meal markedly reduced rumination times as compared with the same quantity and quality of diet fed long or chopped.
3. It is postulated that these effects may be related to the stimulation of rumination.