Effect of birth difficulty on ewe maternal behavior and lamb survival [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Survival of the neonate relies on the Integrated expression of appropriate behaviours from both mother and young. In this study, the effect of birth difficulty on maternal and lamb behaviors and Its Influence on lamb survival was Investigated in crossbred primiparous ewes (1/2 Finnish x 1/2 Rahmani). Assisted ewes spent significantly (P<0.05) le5s time licking (30.83±.39 mln/1 h) and nosing (24.25±1.79 time/2 hr) their lamb!! than unassisted mothers (38.52±2.96 min, 28.8±1.68 time/2 h) respectively. They were found to be more aggressive towards their lambs when attempt to suck (9.80±0.37 12.90 ± 0.84 and 10.50 ±0.50 time/2 h) when compared with unassisted one (8.00 ±0.40, 10.20 ±1.52 and 7.66±0.88 time/2h) respectively. Lamb behavioral development were found to be significantly (P<0.05) affected by birth difficulty with lambs that require assistance at birth even if they survive the birth process, they were slower to progress through the sequence of neonatal behaviours. These lambs were therefore at greater risk of not surviving to weaning (28.57% vs. 11.42). It could be concluded that ease delivery was an important factor determining the subsequent behaviour of the lamb and ewe and hence lamb survival, thus manipulation of husbandry and breeding system to improve delivery will improve lamb survival.

Summary in Arabic.

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