The production of small ruminants (sheep and goats) in Northeast Portugal is an extensive activity, mainly based on exploitation of spontaneous resources. The shepherds direct their flocks on daily grazing itineraries over different types of resources. These itineraries vary throughout the year, in both duration and locations visited. The aim of this study is to analyse the variation of the grazing circuits in relation to the environmental conditions. The time spent by flocks on each itinerary varied from 381 to 746 minutes for goat flocks, and from 300 to 921 minutes for sheep flocks, depending on the duration of daylight. Nevertheless, other environmental conditions have an important role on the pattern of grazing circuits, such as mid-day temperature and abundance of resources.

Dans la région de Trás-os-Montes et Alto Douro, au nord-est du Portugal, l'élevage des petits ruminants est une activité fortement extensive et basée sur le pâturage de parcours. Dans ce travail, la variation de la durée des circuits de pâturage des troupeaux d'ovins et de caprins au cours de l'année est analysée. Le temps du parcours des ovins varie entre 300 et 921 minutes, et pour les caprins entre 381 et 746 minutes.