Journal articles on the topic 'Lamb behaviour'
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1
Bickell, S. L., R. Nowak, P. Poindron, D. Ferguson, and D. Blache. "Maternal behaviour at parturition in outdoor conditions differs only moderately between single-bearing ewes selected for their calm or nervous temperament." Animal Production Science 50, no. 7 (2010): 675. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an09118.
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Maternal and lamb behaviours play a major role in lamb survival and there is evidence that selection for calm temperament may help improve lamb survival by improving maternal behaviour. However, the apparent better maternal behaviour of calm ewes might be due partly to their lower reactivity to the presence of the human observer rather than to better maternal behaviour per se. The extent to which the selection for temperament influenced the behaviour of the ewe and lamb after parturition with minimal human disturbance was investigated in the present work. Single-bearing multiparous and primiparous ewes were observed to determine any interactions of temperament with maternal experience on ewe and lamb behaviours. Postpartum ewe-lamb interactions under outdoor lambing conditions were captured by continuous video recordings by a remote controlled recording device for up to 2 h postpartum. Calm ewes licked their lambs more and tended to stay longer on the birth site. Nervous lambs stood up earlier and were quicker to start performing exploratory behaviour. However, duration of suckling during the observation period did not differ between the calm and nervous lambs. There were no effects of maternal experience on the behaviour of the lamb and there were no interactions between temperament and maternal experience on the behaviour of the ewe or lamb. Our study indicates that temperament does influence the early postpartum behaviour of ewes and lambs under extensive field conditions.
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GOUGOULIS (Δ.Α. ΓΚΟΥΓΚΟΥΛΗΣ), D. A., Ι. KYRIAZAKIS (Η. ΚΥΡΙΑΖΑΚΗΣ), and G. C. FTHENAKIS (Γ. Χ. ΦΘΕΝΑΚΗΣ). "Patterns of maternal behaviour of ewes and sucking behaviour of lambs." Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society 58, no. 1 (November 24, 2017): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.14974.
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In the present article the literature of maternal and sucking behaviour of sheep is reviewed. The article is divided into five sections: (i) Preparation of the ewe - lambing, (ii) Initiation of maternal behaviour - recognition of newborn lambs, (iii) Recognition between ewe and newborn lambs (auditory stimuli and ewe-lamb recognition, visual ewe-lamb recognition, olfactory cues for maternal behaviour, haptic cues in teat seeking by newborn lambs), (iv) Other patterns of ewe - lamb behaviour (other behavioural patterns immediately post-partum, behavioural patterns during lactation) and (v) Neuro-hormonal control of maternal behaviour. In general, studies of maternal and neonatal behavior of sheep contribute to development of management practices, resulting to decreased neonatal mortality, increase of meat production and improvement of animal health and welfare. They also confirm the importance of animal ethology as a veterinary speciality.
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Dwyer, C. M., and A. B. Lawrence. "EFFECTS OF MATERNAL GENOTYPE AND BEHAVIOUR ON THE BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR OFFSPRING IN SHEEP." Behaviour 137, no. 12 (2000): 1629–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853900502754.
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AbstractSignificant breed differences in grazing, activity, social and other affiliative behaviours are known to exist in sheep. The roles of maternal and offspring genotype in determining the development of breed-specific behavioural differences in lambs were investigated using embryo-transfer. Two breeds of sheep (Suffolk and Scottish Blackface) were chosen as they differ markedly in social and affiliative behaviours. Sixty ewe-lamb pairs (15 each of the four combinations of ewe and lamb) were observed over the first 3 days after lambing, then when the lambs were aged between 2-5 months old and during the first 6 weeks after weaning. Lamb breed was the main factor affecting lamb activity at birth and play behaviour over the first postnatal days, with Blackface lambs being significantly more active than Suffolk lambs. Lamb sucking behaviour during this period, however, was significantly affected by ewe breed with a higher frequency of sucking interactions observed with Suffolk ewes. When out at grass the two breeds of ewe differed in their use of the field, with Blackface ewes using upland areas whilst Suffolk ewes were found almost exclusively in the lowland parts. Ewes also differed in their spatial relationship to their lamb, with Blackface ewes maintaining a closer relationship to their lamb than Suffolk ewes, regardless of lamb breed. Blackface ewes were also more active than Suffolk ewes and were more frequently observed grazing. The breed of their mother significantly influenced the behaviour of the lambs, and their spatial relationships to other sheep, both before and after weaning. Lambs with Blackface mothers were more active than lambs with Suffolk mothers and this difference persisted after weaning. Blackface-reared lambs also had a shorter nearest neighbour distance after weaning, aggregated into smaller subgroups and were significantly more likely to be in upland areas of the field, regardless of lamb breed, than lambs reared by Suffolk ewes. Maternal influence, therefore, plays an important role in shaping the behaviour of their offspring in sheep, although neonatal lamb activity is not affected by maternal behaviour.
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O'Connor, C. E., and A. B. Lawrence. "Relationship between lamb vigour and ewe behaviour at parturition." Animal Science 54, no. 3 (June 1992): 361–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s000335610002081x.
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AbstractMaternal behaviour and lamb vigour are both considered major variables affecting lamb survival, but there are few data to describe their relative importance. To investigate the relationship between lamb vigour and maternal behaviour this study compared the behaviour of pure Scottish Blackface lambs with Mule (Bluefaced Leicester ♀. × Scottish Blackface ♂) lambs, all born indoors. Anecdotal accounts suggested a significant reduction in lamb vigour in Mule lambs, a matter also of significant practical importance given the current incease in Mule numbers. Observations on the grooming behaviour of 32 single or twin-bearing ewes, and on the general activity and udder-seeking behaviour of their lambs were made at parturition. In this study, neither ewe grooming behaviour nor general lamb activity were directly related to lamb sucking success. It was shown that, although Mule lambs had high birth weights and stood as quickly as Blackface lambs, they showed significantly fewer sucking attempts (P < 0·01) and took longer to suck successfully (28 min for Blackface v. 55 min for Mules). The inability of Mule lambs to suck successfully was due to their failure to show proper udder-directed behaviour. These results indicate the importance of considering the behaviour of both ewes and lambs as it would seem that it is not ‘poor’ maternal behaviour but inappropriate lamb behaviour that is a limiting factor in lamb survival in the Mule breed.
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Dwyer, C. M., A. B. Lawrence, and S. C. Bishop. "The effects of selection for lean tissue content on maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours in Scottish Blackface sheep." Animal Science 72, no. 3 (June 2001): 555–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1357729800052097.
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AbstractBritish hill sheep are required to give birth to and rear their lambs under harsh extensive conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic selection for increased (LEAN) or decreased (FAT) carcass lean content in the Scottish Blackface breed over 7 years had affected the ability of ewes to rear lambs by altering the expression of maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours. The behaviour of 61 ewes (32 LEAN and 29 FAT) and their 119 lambs were recorded at parturition and over the first 8 weeks of life. Overall there were very few effects of selection on the behaviour of the ewes. LEAN ewes were significantly faster than FAT ewes to start grooming their lambs after birth and FAT ewes tended to withdraw more frequently from their lambs than LEAN ewes. There was, however, a highly significant effect of selection line on lamb behaviour. LEAN lambs were significantly quicker than FAT lambs to perform all righting movements (median latency to stand (mins): LEAN = 11·7, FAT = 23·4, P < 0·01), were more likely both to suck (percentage that sucked: LEAN = 81·0%, FAT = 57·1%, P < 0·05), and to play within the first 2 h of birth. The higher rate of sucking in LEAN lambs persisted over the first 3 days after birth (percent observations where lambs were sucking: LEAN = 7·8 (s.e. 0·8), FAT = 5·1 (s.e. 0·6), P < 0·05), when LEAN lambs were also significantly closer to their mothers than FAT lambs. Thereafter, there were no significant effects of ewe or lamb line on behaviours recorded up to 8 weeks after birth. Overall lamb mortality to 8 weeks was 19·3% and was not significantly affected by lamb line. However, lambs that were slow to perform early behaviours had a reduced survival to 8 weeks of age. These data suggest that, although ewe maternal behaviour has not been significantly affected by selection for lean growth, the activity of the neonatal lamb has been affected. Lamb activity was related to lamb survival, even in our indoor lambing conditions. It is likely that the speed with which newborn lambs stand and suck will be even more important for survival under extensive conditions.
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Cho, Andrew Inhyuk, Caroline Lee, and Alison Small. "Attention behaviours but not pain-related behaviours are modified by the presence of a twin in lambs undergoing castration by rubber ring." PeerJ 8 (October 6, 2020): e10081. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10081.
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The social context of social species such as sheep can modify their physiological and behavioural responses to stressors, through social buffering and social facilitation. Social buffering can lead to amelioration of stress, while social facilitation can lead to stress responses in an observer animal in the presence of a conspecific in distress. The current study investigated twin lambs undergoing ring castration, grouped either homogeneously with a castrated lamb (actor), or heterogeneously with a non-castrated lamb (observer) to examine the impact of social grouping on behavioural responses. Each lamb was scored for two classes of behaviour: pain-related behaviours and postures that are putatively related to the response to castration; and attentional behaviours directed at its twin. Thus, each lamb participated in the experiment as an actor exhibiting pain-related behaviours and postures, and as an observer of its twin. When behaviours of lambs were assessed as actors, there was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of castration but no significant effect of social grouping on expression of pain-related behaviours. When behaviours of lambs were assessed as observers, homogeneous grouping of castrated lambs increased attention towards the other twin in comparison to non-castrated lambs grouped homogeneously or lambs grouped heterogeneously (P < 0.01). Non-castrated lambs grouped homogeneously demonstrated significantly lower numbers of head direction changes (P < 0.001) and lower number of ear posture changes (P < 0.05) than heterogeneously grouped or castrated lambs. This study indicates that social attention between twin lambs is not clearly dependent on pain status of the actor lamb. It suggests that in order for the observer lamb to provide significant attention to the actor lamb displaying pain-related behaviour, the observer lamb also needs to be experiencing pain concurrently. Furthermore, there is some evidence that the presence of pain-related behaviours can lead to increased attention to the surrounding environment in non-castrated lambs. Understanding the effect of concurrent experience and varying social context assists us to improve our understanding of results of other experiments on pain-related behavioural responses.
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Holst, PJ, DG Hall, and CJ Allan. "Ewe colostrum and subsequent lamb suckling behaviour." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, no. 6 (1996): 637. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9960637.
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Behavioural and colostral data were obtained from 70 parous Border Leicester x Merino ewes (and their lambs) that lambed in 0.25 ha paddocks. Data collected included a colostral sample immediately postpartum, lamb weight and temperature, site of parturition and lamb sucking attempts to 48 h post-partum. Colostrum dry matter percentage was 56.5 for ewes with single lambs and 61.5 for ewes with twins (P<0.05). Colostrum colour and consistency score (1-7) of twin-bearing ewes was 5.5 compared with single-bearing ewes of 6.5 (nearer normal milk). Lamb sucking behaviour suggested the more viscous the colostrum, the more often the lamb attempts to suck (P<0.001) and for a longer period at each attempt (P<0.05). This effect diminished over time so that by 24-48 h there was no difference in behaviour expressed as duration x number of sucking bouts, when normal milk would be expected. Twin lambs had significantly more sucking bouts than single lambs up to 4 h post partum. The consequences of these observations would be more serious for twin lamb survival and may explain why some individual twin lambs often die from starvation.
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Freitas-de-Melo, A., F. Sales, R. Ungerfeld, and V. H. Parraguez. "Melatonin treatment during late gestation of undernourished ewes: lamb body temperature and mother–young behaviours after birth." Animal Production Science 62, no. 2 (2022): 131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an21016.
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ContextIn extensive grazing sheep systems, pregnant ewes undergo periods of undernutrition because gestation coincides with winter when natural pasture is of lowest quantity and poorest quality. The lamb’s weight and thermoregulatory capacity, and the ewe–lamb bond at birth, may be compromised. Maternal melatonin treatment during gestation may reverse these effects.AimThe aim was to determine the effects of melatonin treatment of single-lambing, undernourished ewes during the last third of gestation on lamb birthweights and body temperatures, and on ewe–lamb interactive behaviour after birth.MethodsAt Day 100 of gestation, 39 single-bearing ewes received a subcutaneous melatonin implant, and 54 ewes served as controls with no implant. Throughout gestation, the ewes remained under extensive conditions grazing on natural pasture. Measurements were made of lamb birthweight, body temperatures (surface temperature by infrared thermography and rectal temperature), and ewe–lamb behaviours during a handling test at 6–17h after lambing.Key resultsThere was no effect of melatonin treatment on lamb birthweight or rectal temperature, or on ewe–lamb interaction behaviours. Hip minimum surface temperature was greater in lambs from melatonin-treated ewes than lambs from control ewes (21.2°C±0.9°C vs 18.8°C±0.8°C; P=0.05), and there was a similar trend for hip mean surface temperature (24.6°C±0.9°C vs 22.3°C±0.7°C; P=0.06). Rump surface temperatures were greater in male than female lambs: maximum (27.9°C±1.2°C vs 22.9°C±1.2°C; P=0.01), minimum (22.2°C±1.5°C vs 16.7°C±1.5°C; P=0.02) and mean (25.4°C±1.3°C vs 20.5°C±1.3°C; P=0.02).ConclusionMelatonin treatment during the last third of ewe pregnancy slightly enhanced the surface temperature of lambs at birth but did not influence ewe–lamb interaction behaviour after birth (i.e. after establishment of the ewe–lamb bond).ImplicationsFurther study in more depth is warranted into the possible effects of maternal supplementation with commercial melatonin implants on lamb development, thermoregulatory capacity, behaviour and survival rates in extensive grazing systems, including the effect on ewe–lamb behaviours immediately after birth for both singletons and twins.
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Fahmy, M. H., and S. Robert. "Ewe and lamb behaviour at parturition in prolific and non-prolific sheep." Canadian Journal of Animal Science 77, no. 1 (March 1, 1997): 9–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/a96-014.
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This study was conducted to investigate ewe and lamb behaviour at parturition in prolific and non-prolific sheep. Observations were taken on 16 Romanov (R), 16 Finnsheep (F) and 13 Suffolk (S) ewes at their first and second parturitions. Time intervals between displaying first signs of uneasiness and first contraction, rupture of foetal membranes bag and first contraction, sighting the first lamb and expulsion of the last lamb, and contact time between ewes and their litters were assessed and correlated with litter size, and litter weight at birth and at weaning. Romanov ewes had the largest litters (3.02), took longer to deliver (120.7 min), and interacted more with their lambs (30.9 min) after lambing. F and S ewes were similar in many behavioural traits despite significant differences in number and weight of lambs delivered. Prolific R and F ewes lambing single and twin lambs delivered them faster than S ewes with similar litter sizes. Duration of lambing was significantly correlated with ewe–lamb contact but only for the two prolific breeds (r = 0.51 and 0.76 for R and F, respectively). Ewe-lamb contact was also correlated with litter size (r = 0.83), litter weight at birth (r = 0.72) and at weaning (r = 0.47) but only in F ewes. For R, F, and S ewes lambing litters of one and two lambs, the average intervals between first sight of a lamb and its expulsion were 9.2, 20.8, and 25.8 min, the intervals between expulsion and standing were 37.0, 18.6, and 19.6 min, and between standing and suckling, 24.2,20.4, and 27.2 min per lamb, respectively. The average contact time between a ewe and each of her lambs was 13.1, 8.8, and 11.0 min, respectively. The corresponding intervals for R and F ewes lambing up to four lambs were 10.3 and 11.1, 43.3 and 21.4, 35.7 and 25.6, and 8.8 and 7.8 min (P > 0.05) per lamb, respectively. The data showed several differences between prolific and non-prolific sheep in behavioural traits at birth. Key words: Maternal behaviour: Lamb behaviour, Romanov, Finnsheep, Prolific sheep
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Freitas-de-Melo, A., R. Ungerfeld, A. Orihuela, M. J. Hötzel, and R. Pérez-Clariget. "Early mother–young relationship and feeding behaviour of lambs are unaffected by low pasture allowance until the beginning of the last third of gestation in single-bearing ewes." Animal Production Science 58, no. 5 (2018): 930. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an16157.
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Nutrition during gestation influences ewes’ bodyweight (BW), the bond with their lamb, milk yield and lamb development, and thus feeding behaviour of lambs during postnatal rearing. The aim of this study was to determine if the level of native pasture allowance from before conception until the beginning of the last third of gestation of single-bearing ewes influences the ewe–lamb relationship at birth and the feeding behaviour of lambs during postnatal rearing. A second aim was to determine whether the nutritional treatments affect ewes’ milk yield and their lambs’ bodyweight. Eleven multiparous Corriedale ewes grazed a high pasture allowance [10–12 kg of dry matter (DM)/100 kg of BW/day; HPA treatment], and another 11 grazed a low pasture allowance (5–8 kg of DM/100 kg of BW/day; LPA treatment) for 145 days beginning 40 days before conception. After the end of this treatment all ewes grazed on Festuca arundinacea and received rice bran and crude glycerine until 3 days before birth. Ewes’ BW was recorded monthly before and during gestation. Latency from parturition until the ewe licked her lamb, latency for lamb to stand up and suckle were recorded, and Maternal Behaviour Score was determined 12–24 h after birth. All the variables recorded during postpartum were determined approximately every 30 days. Grazing, ruminating and suckling events of the lambs were recorded from Day 23 until 142 days of age. Milk yield was determined from 32 until 140 days after lambing. Lambs’ BW was recorded from birth until 140 days of age. On Day 41 the BW change tended to be greater in HPA ewes than in LPA ewes, and on Days 79 and 105 it was greater in HPA ewes than LPA ewes (P = 0.006 and P = 0.005 respectively). Treatments did not affect the behaviours at birth of ewes and lambs, milk yield, ruminating and suckling events of lambs, ewes’ and lambs’ BW. The lambs from HPA ewes tended to present a greater frequency of grazing than the LPA lambs. Different levels of native pasture allowances from before conception until the last third of gestation in single-bearing ewes, followed by an increase in nutrient supply, did not affect ewe–lamb behaviours at birth, milk yield, lambs’ growth, and their feeding behaviours during rearing.
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Hergenhan, R. L., G. N. Hinch, and D. M. Ferguson. "Sire effects on neonatal lamb vigour and following-behaviour." Animal Production Science 54, no. 6 (2014): 745. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an13223.
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The ability of the lamb to maintain contact with the ewe as she moves away from the birth site is critical to the lamb’s subsequent survival. If this contact is compromised then lamb loss is likely to occur due to starvation/mismothering. This study uses sires from the Sheep CRC Information Nucleus Flock to compare the effect of selection of sires within the Merino breed for high or low losses due to starvation/mismothering on neonatal lamb vigour. Lamb vigour was measured using conventional measures of time to perform early neonatal behaviours, early physiological measures (rectal temperatures and blood glucose), and performance in a modified barrier test while under physiological stress from cold exposure. Lambs were exposed to cold at a time (4–6 h after birth) when the ewe is likely to be moving away from the birth site and therefore when losses due to starvation/mismothering are likely to begin. Progeny from the high-loss sires were significantly (P < 0.05) slower to attempt to stand, and to stand, than progeny from the no-loss sires and tended to be slower to reach the udder and suckle (P = 0.07). Lambs from the no-loss group also had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher vigour score than the high-loss group. There was no effect of sire group on the performance of lambs in the modified barrier test; however, cold-treated lambs performed poorly in the test compared with control lambs. It was concluded that sire can have an effect on lamb vigour, but it does not necessarily translate into effects on later following-behaviour while under stressful conditions.
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Archer, N., AM Johnston, and M. Khalid. "Differences in the acute pain responses of two breeds of lamb following castration and tail docking with the rubber ring method." Animal Welfare 13, no. 2 (May 2004): 135–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0962728600026877.
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AbstractCharolais × and Suffolk × Mule lambs of less than one week of age were castrated and tail docked using a standard rubber ring technique. After these procedures, their behaviour was monitored for I h. Their respiration rates and scrotal sac measurements were also recorded. Both breeds of lamb exhibited abnormal behaviour patterns following these procedures. The recumbent behaviour pattern of both breeds was remarkably similar but their standing behaviour differed markedly. The Charolais × lambs were significantly more active and had significantly higher respiration rates compared with the Suffolk × lambs. They also took a greater amount of time to recover to a normal posture. Their abnormal behavioural responses suggested that both breeds of lamb experienced acute pain following castration and tail docking, but the type of behaviour exhibited was breed-dependent. The findings suggest that different breeds of lamb may experience different levels of distress in response to the same husbandry procedure. Alternatively, they may simply reflect a difference in the character and temperament of the breeds studied.
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Lambe, N. R., J. Conington, S. C. Bishop, A. Waterhouse, and G. Simm. "Genetics of maternal behaviour in Scottish Blackface sheep under field conditions: factors affecting maternal behaviour scores and their influence on lamb live weights and survival." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2000 (2000): 65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200000661.
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Behavioural studies of sheep have shown that poor maternal behaviour by the ewe immediately postparturition can lead to reduced lamb survival and ewe production (O'Connor et al., 1985). Under field conditions, behaviour may be quantified by the maternal behaviour score (MBS) - a six-point scale assessing ewe flight distance when lambs(s) are handled for the first time, within 24 hours of birth (adapted from O'Connor et al., 1985). Greater scores are awarded to ewes remaining closer to their lamb(s). The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the factors affecting MBS in Scottish Blackface ewes; (2) to determine if MBS affects the average weight of lambs reared or the number of lambs dying before weaning; (3) to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for MBS and correlations between MBS and lamb performance.
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Gronqvist, G. V., R. E. Hickson, P. R. Kenyon, S. T. Morris, K. J. Stafford, and R. A. Corner-Thomas. "Behaviour of twin- and triplet-born lambs and their dam 3 to 18 hours after birth is not a useful predictor of lamb survival to weaning." Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 33, no. 11 (November 1, 2020): 1848–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.5713/ajas.19.0479.
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Objective: An experiment was designed to determine if behaviour traits expressed by twinand triplet-bearing lambs and their dams at 3 to 18 hours of age (after the immediate ewelamb bonding had occurred) were associated with lamb survival to weaning.Methods: The behaviour of twin and triplet lambs and their dams was assessed in the paddock at 3 to 18 hours after birth. Observations were made of the number of high- and low-pitched bleats, time to stand, make contact with dam, suck from dam and follow dam were recorded for each lamb. The maternal behaviour score of each dam was assessed. A random sub-sample of lambs were assessed during a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 hours of age. Traits included time spent standing, sitting, walking, time taken to reach the ewes and time spent with the ewes as well as the number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the lamb.Results: In the paddock, for each additional second required for twin-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 1.004 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.008) times more likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). The opposite relationship, however, was seen in triplet lambs. For each additional second required for triplet-born lambs to follow their dam, lambs were 0.996 (95% CI 0.993 to 0.999) times as likely to survive to weaning (p<0.05). During the maternal recognition test, twin-born lambs were 0.989 (95% CI 0.979 to 1.000) times as likely to survive to weaning for every additional second they took to reach the contact zone (p<0.05). Similarly, triplet-born lambs were 0.994 (95% CI 0.989 to 0.999) as likely to survive for every additional second they took to reach their dam (p<0.05).Conclusion: All ewe behaviours and the majority of lamb paddock and test behaviours were not associated with the survival of twin- or triplet-born lambs and, therefore, are of little use as indicators of lamb survival to weaning.
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O'Connor, C. E., and A. B. Lawrence. "Relationships between lamb vigour and maternal behaviour on sucking success at parturition." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) 1990 (March 1990): 36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0308229600018183.
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High perinatal mortality in sheep flocks worldwide remains a major economic and welfare issue. Maternal behaviour and lamb vigour are both considered major variables affecting lamb survival, but there is little data to describe their relative importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between lamb vigour and maternal behaviour at parturition. With the increase in hill ewes being crossed to longwool breeds there is an interest in the relative survivability of these lambs. This study compared the behaviour of Mule [Bluefaced Leicester x Blackface] lambs with purebred Scottish Blackface lambs.Data on 32 third parity single and twin-bearing Blackface ewes lambing indoors were collected by focal animal observations on the ewe's grooming behaviour. These observations included details of the time spent grooming specific areas of the lamb's body and also general activity and udder-seeking behaviour of the lambs. Observations lasted 10 minutes and were made at parturition and then at 30 and 90 minute intervals. The data was transformed by arcsin. for proportions, or log, for frequencies, and analysed by Analysis of Variance,
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Dwyer, C. M., and A. B. Lawrence. "Interactions between ewe and lamb genotype and sucking success in neonatal lambs." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1998 (1998): 105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200597579.
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Perinatal lamb mortality remains a major economic and welfare concern in sheep farming with 80-90% of pre-weaning lamb losses occur in the immediate postnatal period (Haughey, 1993). One of the predominant factors in the death of neonatal lambs is failure of ewe-lamb bonding leading to delay or lack of sucking. Successful sucking requires the co-ordinated expression of appropriate behaviour from both the ewe and lamb. Previously we have demonstrated an interaction between ewe and lamb breed in the rate of successful sucking (Dwyer et al., 1996) with Blackface lambs having a higher rate than Suffolk lambs but also a higher rate with Suffolk ewes than with Blackface ewes. In the present study we investigated the role of ewe responses to lamb sucking attempts in determining the sucking success of neonatal lambs.
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Dwyer, C. M., and A. B. Lawrence. "Interactions between ewe and lamb genotype and sucking success in neonatal lambs." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1998 (1998): 105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0308229600033183.
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Perinatal lamb mortality remains a major economic and welfare concern in sheep farming with 80-90% of pre-weaning lamb losses occur in the immediate postnatal period (Haughey, 1993). One of the predominant factors in the death of neonatal lambs is failure of ewe-lamb bonding leading to delay or lack of sucking. Successful sucking requires the co-ordinated expression of appropriate behaviour from both the ewe and lamb. Previously we have demonstrated an interaction between ewe and lamb breed in the rate of successful sucking (Dwyer et al., 1996) with Blackface lambs having a higher rate than Suffolk lambs but also a higher rate with Suffolk ewes than with Blackface ewes. In the present study we investigated the role of ewe responses to lamb sucking attempts in determining the sucking success of neonatal lambs.
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Alexander, G., D. Stevens, LR Bradley, and SA Barwick. "Maternal behaviour in Border Leicester, Glen Vale (Border Leicester derived) and Merino sheep." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 30, no. 1 (1990): 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9900027.
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Ewe and lamb behaviour in traditional Border Leicesters, Glen Vale Border Leicesters of the NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Glen Vale x Border Leicester crosses and medium-fine-wool Merinos, all running in paddocks of 3-4.5 ha, were compared in spring 1983 at Glen Innes, N.S.W. Twenty-eight aspects of behaviour with a known or reputed influence on lamb survival, especially of multiples, were examined in undisturbed and contrived situations. The Glen Vales and their crosses were superior to the Border Leicesters and Merinos in behaviour and lamb survival, particularly behaviour concerned with the ability of ewes to keep their lambs together. The study indicates that contrived twin-care tests could form the basis of a selection program to improve maternal care and survival of multiples.
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Alexander, G., LR Bradley, and D. Stevens. "Effect of age and parity on maternal behaviour in single-bearing Merino ewes." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, no. 6 (1993): 721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9930721.
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Behavioural factors associated with lamb mortality were examined in regard to the relative effects of age and parity in single-bearing Merino ewes. Primiparas tended to have longer labour and higher lamb mortality than multiparous ewes. Maternal behaviour in primiparas was characterised by more desertions, a smaller proportion that stood and started to groom their lambs immediately after birth, and a larger proportion with non-cooperative behaviour during the initial sucking attempts of the lamb. These traits, and a high incidence of malpresentations, were particularly marked in 5-year-old primiparas deliberately denied access to rams in previous seasons. There was no evidence of improved maternal behavioural attributes associated with increasing age of ewe that were independent of previous experience in giving birth and rearing lambs.
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Dwyer, CM, AB Lawrence, HE Brown, and G. Simm. "Effect of ewe and lamb genotype on gestation length, lambing ease and neonatal behaviour of lambs." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 8, no. 8 (1996): 1123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rd9961123.
Full textAbstract:
To distinguish between ewe and lamb breed effects on prenatal growth, ease of parturition and early lamb behaviour, an embryo-transfer study was carried out using a hill breed (Scottish Blackface; liveweight: 54.25 +/- 1.03 kg, mean +/- s.e.m.) and a lowland breed (Suffolk; 80.33 +/- 1.52 kg) to obtain the four possible combinations of ewe and lamb. Data were collected from 38 Blackface ewes (18 with Blackface lambs and 20 with Suffolk lambs) and 41 Suffolk ewes (20 with Blackface lambs and 21 with Suffolk lambs); all ewes were given single embryos. Suffolk lambs had a significantly longer gestation than Blackface lambs (1.5 days, P < 0.01), regardless of ewe breed. Suffolk lambs also had a longer labour (20 min, P < 0.05) and were significantly more likely to require birth assistance (17/21, 81% of all assisted deliveries; P < 0.001), as were male lambs (19/21, 90%; P < 0.01). These variables were independent of ewe breed. Blackface lambs were significantly more active than Suffolk lambs in the first 2 h after birth; ewe breed had little effect on lamb behaviour. Blackface lambs stood twice as quickly as Suffolk lambs after birth (13 min v. 24 min; P < 0.001), and were significantly more likely to suckle within the first 2 h after birth (92% v. 66%; P < 0.05). The behavioural retardation of Suffolk lambs may be a consequence of their birth difficulty which increases their likelihood of suffering birth trauma and hypoxia at parturition. Together, these factors may increase the probability of neonatal death in these lambs.
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Hass, Christine C. "Bighorn lamb mortality: predation, inbreeding, and population effects." Canadian Journal of Zoology 67, no. 3 (March 1, 1989): 699–705. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z89-101.
Full textAbstract:
Survival of lambs in the population of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) on the National Bison Range, Montana, was less than 25% during 1983 and 1984. Sixty-seven percent of lamb mortality occurred within 3 days of birth; ewe behaviour and recovered remains indicated that coyotes likely accounted for most of the mortality. Herd history, calculated inbreeding coefficients, and the observation of several small, weak lambs implied that inbreeding depression, while probably not a major factor in lamb mortality, may have predisposed some lambs to predation. Lamb production was high (88–96%); in spite of high mortality, population numbers were stable.
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Notman, A. B., H. L. Heath, and J. Hill. "Welfare of the neonate lamb immediately after tail-docking." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1999 (1999): 108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200002635.
Full textAbstract:
Tail docking of new born lambs is a routine practice in the United Kingdom. It has been used as a strategy to reduce the impact of myriasis (blowfly strike). There is only a limited period of time after birth (up to seven days) during which lambs can be docked without the use of anaethesia. Tail docking may have a detrimental effect on the ewe-lamb bond if the process leads to significant and sustained pain. French, Wall and Morgan (1994) suggested lambs suffer acute pain immediately after the procedure of docking but this potential disturbance of normal behaviour during the first few days of life did not seem to affect the long-term performance of lambs. The study reported in this paper considers the effect of tail docking on the behaviour of lambs during the first 90 minutes after docking and on lamb performance to slaughter.
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Cloete, S. W. P., and A. J. Scholtz. "Lamb survival in relation to lambing and neonatal behaviour in medium wool Merino lines divergently selected for multiple rearing ability." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, no. 8 (1998): 801. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea98095.
Full textAbstract:
Summary. Two lines of Merino sheep were divergently selected from the same base population since 1986 on maternal ranking values for multiple rearing ability. In the high (H) line, ewe and ram progeny were preferably descended from ewes that reared >1 lamb per joining. In the low (L) line, replacements were the progeny of ewes that reared <1 lamb per joining. Data on lamb mortality, lambing and neonatal behaviour as well as lamb production were obtained from these lines over 5 years (1993–97). Lamb survival was improved (P<0.01) in the H line, mainly as a result of the improved survival of multiples. It was evident that the survival of lambs was not compromised by selection for ewe multiple rearing ability, despite the fact that higher mortality levels are expected with an increase in multiple birth rate. No line difference was found for the time lapse from birth to first standing for >10 s, but H line lambs were quicker (P<0.01) to progress from standing to suckling than L line contemporaries (28 v. 38 min respectively). This line difference remained after adjustment for better co-operation of H line ewes with the first suckling attempts of their progeny. Ewes in the H line tended (P = 0.18) to remain longer on or near their birth sites than L line contemporaries (403 v. 362 min respectively). They also tended to be less (P = 0.07) likely to desert their lambs than L line ewes (12/424 = 0.028 v. 14/230 = 0.061 respectively). After least-squares adjustment for their heavier (P<0.01) litter weight, H line ewes experienced shorter (P<0.05) births than their L line contemporaries (46 v. 57 min respectively). Fewer (P<0.05) H line lambs died during or shortly after parturition (respective proportions of 22/890 = 0.025 and 25/441 = 0.057), while maiden H line ewes were less (P<0.05) likely to be assisted at lambing than L line contemporaries (4/107 = 0.037 v. 8/61 = 0.131 respectively). With regard to overall lamb production, it was found that the number of lambs weaned per ewe present at lambing in the H line was improved (P<0.05) in all years relative to that observed in the L line, the differences ranging from 25% in 1993 to 47% in 1997. Lamb weaning weight was correspondingly improved (P<0.05) in H line lambs, the differences ranging from 8% in 1994 to 22% in 1996. Fairly high levels of production could thus be attained with predominantly pasture-fed ewes selected for multiple rearing ability.
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Alexander, G., D. Stevens, and LR Bradley. "Intensive observations during lambing in a goitre-affected flock, with special reference to behaviour of lambs." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 30, no. 6 (1990): 749. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9900749.
Full textAbstract:
This study documents an outbreak of congenital goitre in a flock of sheep under intensive observation for behaviour during lambing on pasture containing a high proportion of white clover (Trifolium repens). Thyroids were palpably enlarged in half of the lambs and much enlarged in 12% of lambs, reaching 42 g/kg bodyweight. The incidence of goitre increased as lambing progressed and with increasing ewe age, but tended to decrease with increasing litter size. Gestation period increased with increasing thyroid size. Lamb mortality was 3-fold higher in lambs with moderately or grossly enlarged glands than in lambs with little or no gland enlargement. Major factors contributing to death were poor vigour of lambs at birth, possibly due in part to impaired thermoregulation, and difficult or prolonged birth. Lambs with severe goitre were susceptible to heat stroke apparently through tracheal constriction. Activity of lambs was depressed according to the degree of thyroid enlargement. The correlations between various lamb behaviours and plasma thyroxine were no better than with the thyroid enlargement score. Twins had a higher mortality and less vigorous behaviour than singles with similar thyroid enlargement. Twins with much enlarged glands were particularly at risk. It is suggested that slight to moderate thyroid enlargement might not be detected in practical farming and could be more common than usually supposed. In the presence of other factors that prejudice survival, such as cold weather, prolonged and difficult birth and multiple birth, this 'subclinical' goitre could contribute to death of lambs.
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Owens, J. L., B. M. Bindon, T. N. Edey, and L. R. Piper. "A note on the effects of dexamethasone-induced parturition on ewe behaviour and lamb survival in prolific Booroola Merino ewes." Animal Science 41, no. 3 (December 1985): 417–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003356100036497.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractNormal and dexamethasone-induced parturition were compared in Merino and prolific Booroola Merinos carrying crossbred foetuses. Behavioural observations were recorded for 42 single-, 27 twin- and 10 triplet-bearing ewes. After treatment on day 144 of gestation, ewes injected with dexamethasone lambed 41 h earlier than ewes injected with phosphate buffer. On the phosphate-buffer treatment, Booroola Merino ewes lambed 22 h earlier than Merino ewes. Twin- and triplet-bearing ewes which were induced to lamb had a significantly longer duration of labour than ewes bearing singles which were induced to lamb, and ewes, regardless of litter size, which lambed naturally. Induction of parturition had no significant effect on the lambs' behaviour subsequently. Lamb survival was not influenced by dexamethasone treatment but was significantly influenced by lamb birth weight, which declined as litter size increased.
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Molik, Edyta, Elżbieta Marciniak, and Jacek Nowicki. "The influence of the suction factor on prolactin secretion and ethological conditions of lambs during the rearing period with their mothers." Roczniki Naukowe Polskiego Towarzystwa Zootechnicznego 15, no. 4 (December 31, 2019): 81–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.6562.
Full textAbstract:
hormonal changes. One of the main hormones responsible for lactation and determinants of the maternal instinct is prolactin. A study was carried out on 20 Polish Longwool ewes and their offspring. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of suckling on prolactin secretion and to analyse lamb behaviour during the first 14 days after lambing. On day 7 of the experiment, blood was taken for determination of the prolactin level. The study showed a significant effect of the suckling factor on prolactin secretion. Stimulation of the mammary gland by the suckling lamb stimulated prolactin secretion. The ethological observations indicated that the behaviour of lambs both during the day and at night depends on their age. Younger lambs spent more time with their mothers, while in the second week they were more active.
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Dwyer, C. M., and A. B. Lawrence. "Variations in the maternal behaviour of primiparous, single-bearing ewes of a hill and a lowland breed of sheep." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1997 (1997): 184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200596252.
Full textAbstract:
Perinatal lamb mortality can account for up to 20% of annual lamb losses, and at least a third of these deaths can be attributed to maternal factors (Mellor, 1988). Improvement in the quality of maternal behaviour may, therefore, lead to a reduction in lamb deaths. In order to identify if there is a genetic component to the expression of maternal behaviour, the behaviour of a lowland (Suffolk) and a hill (Scottish Blackface) breed of parturient ewe were quantified after the birth of a single lamb.
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Pickup, H. E., and C. M. Dwyer. "Breed differences in the expression of maternal care at parturition persist throughout the lactation period in sheep." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2002 (2002): 70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200007262.
Full textAbstract:
In the ewe maternal care begins at parturition with grooming of the neonate and cooperation with early sucking attempts (e.g. Shillito-Walser 1978). Subsequently maternal care is expressed through sucking interactions, a close ewe-lamb association and a tendency to seek absent lambs (e.g. Hinch et al 1987). The ewe increasingly controls sucking interactions using a ‘head-up’ posture to signal when the lamb may approach and suck (Lawrence 1984).Two breeds of sheep, Suffolk and Scottish Blackface, are known to differ in their initial maternal behaviour. Blackface ewes spend longer grooming their lambs, show more cooperation with sucking attempts and less negative behaviour such as aggression and rejection, when compared to Suffolk ewes (Dwyer & Lawrence 1998). The aim of this study was to examine whether these breed differences in the expression of maternal care persist throughout the lactation period.
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Bilbe, E., J. Conington, K. McLean, N. Lambe, and L. Bünger. "Using computerised tomography to assess pelvic dimensions linked to dystocia and maternal behaviour score in Scottish-Blackface ewes." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2005 (2005): 122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200010334.
Full textAbstract:
Recent CAP reforms for the sheep sector are likely to partially shift the emphasis from intensive to lower input, ‘easy care’ husbandry systems. The ability of sheep to lamb unaided would be crucial to the success of these systems. Dystocia is the most common cause of parturient lamb mortality, and pelvic dimensions are important factors in causing dystocia in ewes (Quinlivan, 1971). This study uses pelvimetry, based on both external and in vivo measures obtained by computed tomography (CT), to undertake preliminary studies on the associations among the incidence of dystocia, and other factors including maternal behaviour score (MBS) (Lambe et al., 2001).
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Fajardo, N. M., C. H. E. C. Poli, C. Bremm, J. F. Tontini, Z. M. S. Castilhos, C. M. McManus, B. N. M. Sarout, J. M. Castro, and A. L. G. Monteiro. "Effect of concentrate supplementation on performance and ingestive behaviour of lambs grazing tropical Aruana grass (Panicum maximum)." Animal Production Science 56, no. 10 (2016): 1693. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an14698.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation on the performance and ingestive behaviour of lambs grazing tropical grasslands of Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5 and its effect on pasture characteristics. Different levels of daily supplementation with concentrate were compared: no supplementation; or supplemented at 1.5% and 2.5% of lamb liveweight. The grazing simulation technique was used for qualitative assessment of the pasture every 28 days. Herbage mass, pasture growth rate, sward height as well as botanical and morphological composition of the pasture were evaluated. Average daily gain, gain per hectare and ingestive behaviour were measured on the lambs. The forage supply was 4% of green leaves (4 kg dry matter per 100 kg of liveweight) in all treatments. Six 3–4-month-old Texel and Corriedale lambs were used per paddock. The design was a randomised block design with three replications. Concentrate supplementation had a direct effect on pasture structure, especially height (significant interaction treatment vs period – P = 0.0373). In the treatment without supplementation, the animals grazed for a longer period than the others. Idle time was higher in the treatment with the highest level of supplementation, and rumination time was similar among the treatments. Supplementation with 2.5% significantly increased the average daily gain (0.143 g vs 0.026 g for no supplementation) and gain per hectare (30 kg vs 258 kg for no supplementation vs supplementation at 2.5% of lamb liveweight, respectively). The results show the potential increase in production and productivity with the use of concentrate supplementation at 2.5% lamb bodyweight. Notwithstanding the increase in production, supplementation with concentrate provided a strong negative impact on pasture structure and behaviour of animals that should be considered when using concentrate supplementation for finishing lambs in tropical regions.
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Anderson, Jennifer M. L., and G. M. Webster. "The absence of any effect of constant long or short photoperiod on growth, sexual development and behaviour of male lambs from birth to 9 months of age." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1996 (March 1996): 167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200593624.
Full textAbstract:
Testosterone levels are generally higher in entire male sheep when photoperiod is short as this coincides with the mating period and oestrous cycles of the female. This may increase management problems of entire male sheep through augmented agonistic and sexual behaviour. By delaying puberty in the entire male lamb, management problems may be avoided, while retaining the full benefits of some testosterone secretion to promote growth and leanness. This experiment was initiated to examine the possibility that lamb growth will be enhanced under either constant long or constant short photoperiod without increased behavioural problems.At birth (mean birth date 19 March 1994 ± 3 days), 24 twin male lambs were assigned as pairs to either long (L) or short (S) photoperiod treatments alternately. One lamb from each pair was left entire (E) and the other lamb was castrated (C) at 12 hours of age using elastrator bands.
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Anderson, Jennifer M. L., and G. M. Webster. "The absence of any effect of constant long or short photoperiod on growth, sexual development and behaviour of male lambs from birth to 9 months of age." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 1996 (March 1996): 167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0308229600031330.
Full textAbstract:
Testosterone levels are generally higher in entire male sheep when photoperiod is short as this coincides with the mating period and oestrous cycles of the female. This may increase management problems of entire male sheep through augmented agonistic and sexual behaviour. By delaying puberty in the entire male lamb, management problems may be avoided, while retaining the full benefits of some testosterone secretion to promote growth and leanness. This experiment was initiated to examine the possibility that lamb growth will be enhanced under either constant long or constant short photoperiod without increased behavioural problems.At birth (mean birth date 19 March 1994 ± 3 days), 24 twin male lambs were assigned as pairs to either long (L) or short (S) photoperiod treatments alternately. One lamb from each pair was left entire (E) and the other lamb was castrated (C) at 12 hours of age using elastrator bands.
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Gómez, María Bettina, and Melina Castillo. "Wool quality and daily weight gain in native lambs from the Central Region of Argentina." Enero-Junio 2021 29, no. 1-2 (March 8, 2021): 21–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.53588/alpa.291203.
Full textAbstract:
The ovine population of the central Argentine territory is the result of constant introductions of different animal biotypes, which determined the existence of ovine populations with great variability. The main objective of the breeders is to produce a lamb for self-consumption and sale of surpluses, without considering the wool product. The production of a lamb for the market is compatible with the production of wool for the textile industry, having to evaluate the feasibility for the commercialization of lamb wool that they produce. This work aimed to provide information and tools to evaluate the quality of lamb’s wool and the evolution of the weight of lambs belonging to the native flocks of the area. Characterization of the productive systems was carried out, seeking to highlight the attributes of meat and wool of native lambs. The characteristics of wool and meat lamb product were evaluated under two treatments, either in free rage conditions or lambs supplemented under confinement. The analysis of the behaviour of the productive systems did not show significant differences between lamb biotypes, which allows affirming that the variation within an animal biotype is even more important than the expected one between biotypes. This indicates that both treatments can be used according to the particular situation of each productive unit. Therefore, it is possible to produce wool and meat of outstanding quality looking for the goodness of the wool produced and optimizing through proper handling practices the meat product.
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Dwyer, C. M., and A. B. Lawrence. "Induction of maternal behaviour in non-pregnant, hormone-primed ewes." Animal Science 65, no. 3 (December 1997): 403–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1357729800008602.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractIt has been suggested that the induction of maternal behaviour in non-pregnant ewes by treatment with oestrogen and progesterone followed by artificial, mechanical vaginocervical stimulation (VCS), could be used to produce foster mothers for orphan or triplet lambs. To investigate the reliability of the technique, 46 non-pregnant sheep of two breeds (Suffolk (S) and Scottish Blackface (BF)) and two levels of experience (nulliparous (N) and multiparous (M)) were used. All ewes were given 6 weeks of treatment with vaginal sponges containing oestradiol and progesterone, followed by 2 min of VCS and exposure to a neonatal (< 2 days old) foster lamb. Plasma oestrogen and prolactin concentrations were significantly elevated by the hormonal treatment; prolactin was significantly higher in M ewes compared with N ewes (BFN = 91, SN = 107, BFM = 301, SM = 687 μg/l, P < 0·005). Significant udder development was seen in most ewes (proportionately 1·0 M v. 0·62 N, P = 0·01) and more M ewes produced milk than N ewes (0·67 v. 0·19, P < 0·005). No ewes showed maternal behaviour to the lamb from hormone treatment alone. After VCS, one of 26 N ewes and five of 12 M ewes expressed maternal behaviour. In the M ewes, significantly more S ewes were maternal than BF ewes (proportionately 0·75 SM v. 0·25 BFM, P < 0·05). It is concluded that the technique alone is not sufficiently reliable to be a useful fostering aid. It is suggested, however, that previous exposure to neonatal lambs, handling of ewes before testing and using newborn lambs, may be fruitful areas of investigation to improve the technique.
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Marchewka, Joanna, Ina Beltrán de Heredia, Xavier Averós, Roberto Ruiz, Adroaldo J. Zanella, Julia Adriana Calderón Díaz, and Inma Estevez. "Behaviour of tail-docked lambs tested in isolation." Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 55, no. 2 (December 1, 2016): 192–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ijafr-2016-0019.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe aims of the current study were to detect behavioural indicators of pain of tail-docked sheep tested in isolation and to determine the relationship between behaviour and the pain levels to which they were exposed. Twenty-four female lambs, randomly assigned to four pens, had their tail docked with a rubber ring (TD; n = 6) without pain control procedures, TD with anaesthesia (TDA; n = 6) or TD with anaesthesia and analgesia (TDAA; n = 6). Additionally, six lambs handled but without tail docking or application of pain relief measures were used as the control (C). On the day prior (Day –1) to the TD and on days 1, 3 and 5 post-procedure, each lamb was individually removed from its group and underwent a 2.5 min open field test in a separate pen. Frequencies of behaviours such as rest, running, standing, walking and exploring were directly observed. Frequencies of exploratory climbs (ECs) and abrupt climbs (ACs) over the testing pen’s walls were video-recorded. Data were analysed using generalised linear mixed models with repeated measurements, including treatment and day as fixed effects and behaviour on Day –1 as a linear covariate. Control and TDAA lambs stood more frequently than TD lambs. TD lambs performed significantly more ACs compared to all other treatment groups. No other treatment effects were detected. A day effect was detected for all behaviours, while the EC frequency was highest for all tail-docked lambs on Day 5. Findings suggest that standing, ACs and ECs could be used as potential indicators of pain in isolated tail-docked lambs. However, differences in ECs between treatments only appeared 3 d after tail docking.
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Peter, R. F., J. Gugusheff, A. L. Wooldridge, K. L. Gatford, and B. S. Muhlhausler. "Placental restriction in multi-fetal pregnancies and between-twin differences in size at birth alter neonatal feeding behaviour in the sheep." Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 8, no. 3 (April 6, 2017): 357–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2040174417000137.
Full textAbstract:
Most individuals whose growth was restricted before birth undergo accelerated or catch-up neonatal growth. This is an independent risk factor for later metabolic disease, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that natural and experimentally induced in utero growth restriction increase neonatal appetite and milk intake. Control (CON) and placentally restricted (PR) ewes carrying multiple fetuses delivered naturally at term. Outcomes were compared between CON (n=14) and PR (n=12) progeny and within twin lamb pairs. Lamb milk intake and feeding behaviour and ewe milk composition were determined using a modified weigh-suckle-weigh procedure on days 15 and 23. PR lambs tended to have lower birth weights than CON (−15%, P=0.052). Neonatal growth rates were similar in CON and PR, whilst heavier twins grew faster in absolute but not fractional terms than their co-twins. At day 23, milk protein content was higher in PR than CON ewes (P=0.038). At day 15, PR lambs had fewer suckling bouts than CON lambs and in females light twins had more suckling attempts than their heavier co-twins. Birth weight differences between twins positively predicted differences in milk intakes. Lactational constraint and natural prenatal growth restriction in twins may explain the similar milk intakes in CON and PR. Within twin comparisons support the hypothesis that prenatal constraint increases lamb appetite, although this did not increase milk intake. We suggest that future mechanistic studies of catch-up growth be performed in singletons and be powered to assess effects in each sex.
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Banchero, G., A. Vázquez, F. Montossi, I. de Barbieri, and G. Quintans. "Pre-partum shearing of ewes under pastoral conditions improves the early vigour of both single and twin lambs." Animal Production Science 50, no. 4 (2010): 309. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an09127.
Full textAbstract:
This study tested the hypothesis that ewes bearing single or twin lambs shorn at 70 or 120 days of pregnancy would give birth to lambs more vigorous than those born to unshorn ewes, increasing the chances of lamb survival. This was tested in two experiments. In the first, 57 adult Corriedale ewes bearing single lambs were allocated to three treatments; shearing at Day 70 of gestation (S70, n = 18), shearing at Day 120 of gestation (S120, n = 19) or unshorn (US, n = 20). In the second, 57 Corriedale ewes bearing twins were allocated to the same treatments: S70, n = 18; S120, n = 20; or US, n = 19. All ewes grazed native pasture until penned and fed individually to requirements during the last 10 days of pregnancy. Gestation length, lamb birthweight, lamb behaviour during their first hour of life, blood glucose and colostrum amount and composition were measured. In the first experiment, with single lambs, birthweights were similar (4.8, 4.7 and 4.7 kg for S70, S120 and US ewes, respectively; s.e. = 0.17, P = 0.47) and the ewes had lengths of gestation of 149 ± 0.6, 148 ± 0.5 and 147 ± 0.6 days respectively. Seventy-eight percent of S70 and 61% of S120 lambs sucked compared with 21% of US lambs (P < 0.001). In the second experiment, with twin lambs, S70 lambs were heavier than S120, which were heavier than US lambs (3.9, 3.4 and 3.1 kg; s.e. = 0.1, P < 0.0001). Ninety-seven percent of S70 and 92% of S120 lambs stood in their first hour of life compared with 68% of US lambs (P < 0.05). Sixty-seven percent of S70 and 63% of S120 lambs sucked compared with 22% of US lambs (P < 0.001). The length of gestation was 148 ± 0.4, 147 ± 0.5 and 144 ± 0.5 days for S70, S120 and US ewes. In both experiments there was no difference in the amount or quality of the colostrum produced by the ewes of the different treatments. We conclude that pre-partum shearing improves lambs’ behaviour independently of their birthweight and suggest that this could be because the lambs are more physiologically mature at birth.
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Holst, PJ. "Supplementary feeding of oat grain or lucerne hay to crossbred ewes at lambing." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 27, no. 2 (1987): 211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9870211.
Full textAbstract:
Border Leicester x Merino ewes (body condition score 2.6-3.0) grazing short pastures were given feed supplements during lambing, to examine effects on lamb survival. Supplementary feeding of poor quality lucerne hay, good quality lucerne hay or oaten grain, each given ad libitum, began 3 days prior to the start of the 4-week lambing period and continued to the end of lambing. One third of the ewes had twins. Lamb marking percentage for the unsupplemented treatment was 108.5% compared with 109.9, 118.1 and 111.7% for the poor quality lucerne hay, good quality lucerne hay and oaten grain treatments respectively. Of twin-bearing ewes given good quality hay, 60% reared both lambs, compared with 48-49% of those given poor quality hap or grain (n.s.) and 36% of those not supplemented (P < 0.05). Supplements did not improve the survival rate of single lambs. Overall survival (combining birth types) of lambs was also significantly improved by a supplement of good quality hay. The observed differences in twin survival were associated with differences in ewe grazing behaviour. These results support recommendations that supplementary feeding of twin-bearing ewes approaching lambing with a body condition score of 2.6-3.0 will improve lamb survival and weaning weights.
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Haughey, K. G. "Perinatal lamb mortality - its investigation, causes and control." Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 62, no. 2 (June 30, 1991): 78–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v62i2.1599.
Full textAbstract:
Methods of investigating perinatal loss in grazing sheep flocks are reviewed and evaluated. The "wet-dry" method is the simplest method for assessing minimal prevalence, whereas the differences between the numbers of single and twin foetuses present at ultrasonic determination of litter size during pregnancy, and the numbers of single and twin lambs present at lamb-marking, is the most precise. The veterinary investigation of field mortality involves full autopsy of a representative sample of dead lambs, a history of prenatal nutrition, disease and husbandry, as well as a qualitative estimate of weather conditions over the period of lamb collection. Pathological processes may be identified in over 95% of deaths and the specific cause determined in about 75% of deaths. The identification of the specific causes in the remainder of deaths, all classified as the starvation-mismothering-exposure (SME) complex, requires intensive, costly, on-site observation, and physiological and biochemical assessment. The probable causes of these deaths include prenatal physiological handicaps resulting from placental insufficiency, aberrant parent-offspring behaviour, management-induced mismothering, misadventure, inadequate milk supply or teat and udder abnormalities, and cold-induced starvation. The gross pathology and pathophysiology of birth stress and the SME complex, which are associated with at least 80% of mortality, are summarised. Birth injury to the foetal central nervous system, characterised by cranial and spinal meningeal haemorrhage is exclusive to parturient deaths and the SME complex. Observed flock prevalences range from 81% to 100% in parturient deaths, and 20% to 57% in the SME complex. The high total prevalence and experimental evidence, indicate the major causal role of birth stress in the pathogenesis of these entities. Lethal congenital malformations, infections (both congenital and acquired after birth), trace element deficiencies and predation are reviewed as minor causes. The new understanding of the pathogenesis of perinatal lamb mortality, recognises the heritable nature of birth mass, maternal pelvic dimensions, parent-offspring behaviour, and the resistance of neonates to cold. Control measures need to incorporate selection for maternal rearing ability, further refinement of prenatal nutritional management of twin-bearing ewes, disease control, provision of shelter for lambing flocks, and avoidance of husbandry: practices which frustrate innate parent-offspring behaviour. A selection programme is summarised.
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Brien, F. D., S. W. P. Cloete, N. M. Fogarty, J. C. Greeff, M. L. Hebart, S. Hiendleder, J. E. Hocking Edwards, et al. "A review of the genetic and epigenetic factors affecting lamb survival." Animal Production Science 54, no. 6 (2014): 667. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an13140.
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Poor lamb survival pre-weaning is a major source of reproductive inefficiency in Australian sheep flocks. While nutrition and management options have been extensively researched and promoted to improve lamb survival, the present review focuses on the prospects for obtaining genetic gain and helps identify selection strategies for boosting such gains to improve overall reproductive efficiency in the Australian sheep industry. Estimated heritability for lamb survival using linear model analysis is low, although use of threshold models suggests that heritability could be higher, which, if true, could help explain the substantial genetic gains obtained in long-term selection experiments. Epigenetic mechanisms may hinder selection and quantitative trait-loci identification through confounding and/or masking genetic variances and co-variances. With sufficient information, these effects could be considered in genetic evaluations by identifying those components that are amenable to selection. Regarding indirect selection, finding effective criteria for improving lamb survival has proved elusive. Most measures of maternal behaviour, temperament and lambing difficulty researched are poorly correlated genetically with lamb survival. Of lamb behaviours and thermo-genic indicators studied, latency to bleat following handling by humans is moderately genetically correlated with lamb survival, as is neonatal rectal temperature. Industry application remains to be adequately explored for the more promising of these measures. Finally, in lieu of direct selection for lamb survival, there is merit in selecting for multiple-rearing ability or its equivalent, possibly with additional selection criteria for lamb survival and reproductive efficiency.
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Davey, Robert C., Raphaël C. Assier, and I. David Abrahams. "An Efficient Semi-Analytical Scheme for Determining the Reflection of Lamb Waves in a Semi-Infinite Elastic Waveguide." Applied Sciences 12, no. 13 (June 25, 2022): 6468. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app12136468.
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The classical problem of reflection of Lamb waves from a free edge perpendicular to the centre line of an elastodynamic plate is studied. It is known that Lamb wave expansions for the displacement and stress fields poorly represent the irregular behaviour near corners, leading to the slow convergence of a series of such waves. The form of the irregularity for an elastodynamic corner is derived asymptotically, and a new solution method, which incorporates this corner behaviour analytically, is then implemented. Results are presented showing that this new approach represents the near-field and far-field behaviour very accurately, requiring very modest numbers of Lamb wave and corner modes. Further, it is revealed that the method can recover the trapped-mode phenomenon encountered in this configuration at the Lamé frequency and a specific Poisson’s ratio that we find to be approximately 0.224798.
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Vince, Margaret A. "Response of the Newly Born Clun Forest Lamb To Maternal Vocalisations." Behaviour 96, no. 1-2 (1986): 164–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853986x00261.
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AbstractForty Clun Forest lambs were removed from their dams immediately after lambing and were tested singly for 30 minutes in a circular arena under one of four conditions: (1) with no stimulation, (2) in the presence of recorded low frequency, low amplitude "rumble"-type vocalisations of the kind made by the ewe from just before lambing and in caring for her lamb, (3) in the presence of a large, rectangular, white, moving object, or (4) in the presence of the same white object and of the recorded "rumbles". The results showed that righting movements were reduced and standing delayed in the lambs which heard "rumbles", whether or not they were in the presence of the moving object. For two other indices of response there was no effect of rumbles but behaviour varied with the presence or absence of the moving object: there were fewer ear movements in lambs presented with the model, as compared with those without and there was more tail-wagging in the presence of the model, than without it. Results are discussed in terms of the dam as a composite stimulus for her lamb.
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Garcia Gonzalez, Sonia, and Peter J. Goddard. "The provision of supplementary colostrum to newborn lambs: effects on post-natal lamb and ewe behaviour." Applied Animal Behaviour Science 61, no. 1 (December 1998): 41–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0168-1591(98)00172-5.
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Cui, Xinjie, and Junji Matsumura. "Weathering Behaviour of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. under Natural Conditions." Forests 11, no. 12 (December 14, 2020): 1326. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f11121326.
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Information on the weathering behaviour of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. is needed to provide references for wood weatherproof pre-treatment and to improve wood utilization. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the variation in the intrinsic weathering behaviour of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir) under natural conditions. Wood samples from 15 Cunninghamia lanceolata trees aged 26–30 years old were used. The structural degradation and discoloration of wood surfaces before and after exposure were compared. The results show that the weathering behaviour of wood was weakened from heartwood to sapwood and enhanced from the bottom to the top. This study provided information for weatherability research and improved wood utilization of Cunninghamia lanceolata.
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Norouzian, M. A. "Effect of weaning method on lamb behaviour and weight gain." Small Ruminant Research 133 (December 2015): 17–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.10.028.
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Dwyer, C. M. "Maternal behaviour and lamb survival: from neuroendocrinology to practical application." Animal 8, no. 1 (2014): 102–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1751731113001614.
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Owens, J. L., B. M. Bindon, T. N. Edey, and L. R. Piper. "Behaviour at parturition and lamb survival of Booroola Merino sheep." Livestock Production Science 13, no. 4 (December 1985): 359–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(85)90027-2.
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Freedman, A. "ON THE CAUSE OF ANOMALOUS BEHAVIOUR OF THEA0LEAKY LAMB MODE." Journal of Sound and Vibration 191, no. 5 (April 1996): 999–1002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jsvi.1996.0170.
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Hinch, G. N., and F. Brien. "Lamb survival in Australian flocks: a review." Animal Production Science 54, no. 6 (2014): 656. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an13236.
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Lamb survival is known to be a key component of reproductive efficiency in sheep flocks. It has been the subject of a large number of studies over the decades and this review provides an update and insights into the latest understanding of the extent and variability of lamb losses across Australia. The pattern of causes of lamb losses, including dystocia, starvation/exposure, mismothering and predation, are examined. Likewise the importance of birthweight in contributing to such losses is discussed as are strategies for improving lamb survival. The strategies examined include improved ewe nutrition, shelter provision and selection for cold resistance and improved maternal behaviour.
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ROOKE, J. A., G. ARNOTT, C. M. DWYER, and K. M. D. RUTHERFORD. "The importance of the gestation period for welfare of lambs: maternal stressors and lamb vigour and wellbeing." Journal of Agricultural Science 153, no. 3 (August 7, 2014): 497–519. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002185961400077x.
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SUMMARYThe prenatal period is of critical importance in defining how individuals respond to their environment throughout life. Stress experienced by pregnant females has been shown to have detrimental effects on offspring behaviour, health and productivity. The sheep has been used extensively as a model species to inform human studies. However, in the farmed environment, the consequences for the lamb of the imposition of prenatal stresses upon the ewe have received much less attention. The stressors that pregnant ewes are most frequently exposed to include sub-optimal nutrition and those related to housing, husbandry and environment which may be either acute or chronic. A systematic review of the literature was adopted to identify material which had production-relevant maternal stressors and lamb outcomes. The current review focussed upon the lamb up to weaning around the age of 100 days and the results clearly demonstrate that stressors imposed upon the ewe have implications for offspring welfare and performance. Maternal under-nutrition (UN) in the last third of pregnancy consistently impaired lamb birth-weight and subsequent vigour and performance, while earlier UN had a variable effect on performance. Feeding the ewe above requirements did not have positive effects on lamb performance and welfare. Social and husbandry stressors such as transport, shearing, mixing and physiological treatments designed to mimic acute stress which would be considered disadvantageous for the ewe had positive or neutral effects for the lamb, highlighting a potential conflict between the welfare of the ewe and her lamb. This review also identified considerable gaps in knowledge, particularly in respect of the impact of disease upon the ewe during pregnancy and interactions between different stressors and the responses of ewe and lamb.