flerd en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /flɝd/ (General-American)
- /flɜːd/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Blend of flock + herd.
Meanings
-
A mixed group of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle.
Dean M. Anderson, research animal scientist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is bonding sheep to cattle into a cohesive unit termed a "flerd."
1996, Small Farm Today, Clark, Mo.: Missouri Farm Pub., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 35:Sheep and goats often co-graze with other animals, such as cows or horses. This grouping of species is sometimes called a flerd.
2015, Dina Rudick, Erik Jacobs, “Sheep & Goats”, in Barnyard Kids: A Family Guide for Raising Animals, Beverly, Mass.: Quarry Books, Quarto Publishing Group, →ISBN, page 81:Flerds can help reduced coyote predation of small ruminants because cows will instinctively intimidate approaching canines. […] Even though dietary differences among flocks, herds and flerds remain similar on arid landscapes with abundant standing crop, animal distribution does differ.
2010, D[ean] M. Anderson, R. E. Estell, “Behavior – the Keystone in Optimizing Free-ranging Ungulate Production”, in Victor R. Squires, editor, Range and Animal Sciences and Resources Management (Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems), volume 1, [Oxford?]: Eolss Publishers, →ISBN, page 335:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| flerds | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
wikipedia: Dulwich Picture Gallery · wikipedia: Adriaen van de Velde