Effect of solar radiation intensity of the grazing system on Pelibuey sheep behavior in rainy season

The objective was to determine the effect of the intensity of solar radiation of the grazing system on the behavior of sheep. Treatment 1 consisted of: monoculture of natural grasses (47 +/- 5 lux); 2: natural grasses with Leucaena leucocephala trees (34 +/- 3 lux); and 3: natural grasses with Manguifera indica trees (16 +/- 3 lux). The total time of each activity per session of the day was determined. A completely randomized design was used, with a 3x2 factorial arrangement (three intensities of solar radiation for two sessions of the day). Grazing behavior was affected by the interaction between the factors. The grazing-walking activity was greater in the grazing areas with the lowest level of solar radiation ( Leucaena and Manguifera ) with 217.50 and 216.38 min respectively, in the morning session; while all times were lower in the afternoon session, with the lowest result in grazing in the sun (108.05 minutes). The reduction of solar radiation under the tree canopy favored the behavioral behavior of the sheep, this allowed the animals to carry out rest and rumination activities under the shade of the trees, with more preference in the afternoon session.