Changes in Sheep Behavior before Lambing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the duration and frequency of behavioral observations of pregnant ewes as they approached lambing. An understanding of behavioral changes before birth may provide opportunities for enhanced visual monitoring at this critical stage in the animal’s life. Behavioral observations for 17 ewes in late pregnancy were recorded during two separate time periods, which were 4 to 6 weeks before lambing and before giving birth. It was normal farm procedure for the sheep to come indoors for 6 weeks of close monitoring before lambing. The behaviors of standing, lying, walking, shuffling and contraction behaviors were recorded for each animal during both time periods. Over both time periods, the ewes spent a large proportion of their time either lying (0.40) or standing (0.42), with a higher frequency of standing (0.40) and shuffling (0.28) bouts than other behaviors. In the time period before giving birth, the frequency of lying and contraction bouts increased and the standing and walking bouts decreased, with a higher frequency of walking bouts in ewes that had an assisted lambing. The monitoring of behavioral patterns, such as lying and contractions, could be used as an alert to the progress of parturition.

Investigating Visual Monitoring of the Scrotum as a Supplementary Tool for Boar Semen Quality Evaluation

“…Seminal plasma markers of fertility have been identified, while analytical molecular biochemistry investigates sperm genomics, proteomics, and epigenetics [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Biomedical sensors and technical equipment for the automated monitoring of the male animals have been involved in these prognostic efforts [ 5 ], and video cameras use is more and more involved in animal behavior studies. Waters et al [ 6 ] reported that visual observation of sheep lying and contractions could be utilized as an alert to the parturition progress.…”