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Effects of age and time of day on standing behavior between commercially-housed ewes and their lambs
The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral patterns of 2 groups of commercially-housed ewes and their pre-weaned lambs in a 30 day period. Behavioral data was collected from 7 Suffolk ewes and their respective cross-bred lambs (n=10; 4 singlets and 3 sets of twins) utilizing HOBO Pendant G data loggers (Onset Computers, Bourne, MA) fitted on the rear cannon bone of each animal and set to record every minute. Data was analyzed as a completely randomized design, with the sheep being the experimental unit. Daily standing time was greater (P < 0.01; 737.5 versus 485.1 ± 23.82 min/d, respectively) for the ewes compared to the lambs. Contrarily, the lambs had more (P < 0.01; 36.1 versus 22.9 ± 1.25 bouts/d, respectively) total standing bouts throughout the day than the ewes; however, standing bout durations were greater (P < 0.01; 33.3 versus 14.4 ± 1.14 min/bout, respectively) in the ewes than lambs. No difference was observed (P > 0.10) between single lambs and lamb twins in standing time and number of standing bouts during the day. Also, the duration of standing bouts were similar (P > 0.10) between single lambs and lamb twins. Overall, the ewes were more likely (P > 0.01; 49.7 versus 32.6 ± 2 percent/day, respectively) to be standing at a given time compared to lambs. Overall likelihood of an animal standing increased (P < 0.01) as age of the lamb (day of trial) increased. Percent likelihood to stand was greatest for both ewe and lamb (P > 0.10; 68.6 and 43.8 ± 1.58 percent, respectively) in the late afternoon (1200 to 1800 h). Results indicate that sheep standing behavior is affected by age of animal and time of day.
Keywords:
behavior, daily activity, sheep