Variation in Behaviour and Performance of Sheep Due To Some Managerial Practices

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different type of floor on different pattern of behaviour of sheep. Also study the effect of presence of ram on induction of estrus. Moreover, flushing effect was studied on behaviour, productive performance and immunity of ewes and lambs.

Experiment 1:

This experiment was planned to study behaviour and performance of ewes under two different type of floor (concrete Vs straw). Two groups of native ewes were used as the 1st group were housed on concrete floor while other group of ewes were housed on straw bedding (n=5). Behavioural observations were performed during 6 weeks accompanied by weighting ewes at 1st week then again at the end of 6th week. The obtained results were as follow: 1-The behaviour due to floor type was significantly differed where ewes housed on straw had higher feeding time (21.68±1.05 Vs 13.68±0.67 min.lhr), rumination time (22.36±0.88 Vs 20.61±1.52 min.lhr) and drinking frequency was (0.94±0.06 Vs 0.59±0.03 freq.lhr), also standing time (7.51±0.73 Vs 5.97±0.72 min.lhr) , frequency of walking (5.55 ±0.45 Vs 3.15±0.24 Jreq.lhr), running (0.08±0.02 Vs 0.02±0.01 freq./hr), scratching(l.75±0.25 Vs 1.04±0.09 freq.lhr), sniffing manager(0.14±0.02 Vs 0.06±0.02 freq./hr), sniffing wall(0.52±0.07 Vs 0.25±0.04 freq.lhr), sniffing other (0.26±0.05 Vs 0.11±0.02 freq.lhr) all were increased. While, lying time (26.39±1.08 Vs 14.1±1.29 min./hr) , sternal recumbancy (17.47±1.00 Vs 10.32±0.81), butting (0.26±0.03 Vs 0.11±0.03 freq.lhr) and pawing (0.28±0.05 Vs 0.01±0.01 freq.lhr) were higher in ewes housed on concrete floor than ewes housed on straw.

2-There were slight significant differences were obs r:ved in average weight gain Qf both groups as weight gain was (2.71±0.52 Vs 3.14±0.34 kg) for both group housed• on concrete and straw bedding respectively.