Evaluation of dietary preference with a multiple latin square design.

Abstract

A sequential multiple latin square experimental design was evaluated as a tool for establishing dietary preference rankings. Dietary preference of 4 grasses was determined by a series of four 4 X 4 latin squares where rows were 4 days within a pen, columns were 4 locations of a grass within a pen, and treatments were 4 grasses. Each square (i.e., pen) utilized 1 lamb. Following the completion of trial 1, the most preferred grass was withdrawn and the 3 remaining grasses were further studied with a series of four 3 X 3 latin squares. This procedure was found to be a resource efficient and effective tool for preference ranking.