Maternal and Lamb Behaviors after Birth in Akkaraman Sheep

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the mother-offspring behavior in the early postpartum period in Akkaraman sheep. Nine of 15 head Akkaraman sheep were performed unaided birth and 6 of them were handled. In 40% of mothers, licking-drying time was 0-20 min and in 60% of them was 21-40 min. Twelve ewes had good maternity and 3 ewes had poor maternity ability. The average time from birth to the first sniff was found 6.4 seconds, and the average time from birth to the first licking was 16.9 seconds. It was found that communication between mother and her offspring delayed due to intervention in birth; the duration of grooming was longer in mothers who smelled and licked their lamb shortly after birth, and mother-offspring bond was established late in ewes with poor maternal ability. Not giving as much intervention as possible to the mother and offspring in birth and after postpartum will allow positive behavioral characteristics in mother and her offspring.

Keywords: Sheep, Lamb, Maternal, Behavior