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Effect of ewe genotype on the behaviour of their lambs in two breeds of sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

C. M. Dwyer  and
A. B. Lawrence
C. M. Dwyer
Affiliation:
Genetics and Behavioural Sciences Department, SAC- Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik, EH26 OQE, UK
A. B. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Genetics and Behavioural Sciences Department, SAC- Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik, EH26 OQE, UK
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Extract

Human intervention and selection of sheep for production characteristics have led to the establishment of defined breeds adapted to live in diverse environmental conditions. It is also apparent that the social and foraging behaviour of different breeds can vary considerably (Arnold, 1985; Dwyer and Lawrence, 1996), even within the same environment, and variations in social behaviour may have significant effects on production (Lawrence and Wood-Gush, 1988). It remains to be established, however, whether these behavioural differences have a genetic basis, or result from the cultural transmission of information and learned behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ewe genotype and behaviour on the behaviour of lambs of different breeds derived by embryo-transfer.

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Programme
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1997 , 1997 , pp. 18
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

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References

Arnold, G.W. 1985. Association and social behaviour. In Ethology of Farm Animals (ed. Fraser, A.F.), pp. 233–246. Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Dwyer, C.M.. and Lawrence, A.B. 1996. Social relationships between ewes of two breeds. BSAS Occasional Publication Animal Choices (in press).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawrence, A.B. and Wood-Gush, D.G.M. 1988. The influence of social behaviour on utilisation of supplemental feedblocks by Scottish hill sheep. Animal Production 46: 203–212.Google Scholar