Title | Heifer disposition and bonding of lambs to heifers |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1987 |
Authors | Anderson D.M., Hulet CV, Smith J.N, Shupe, W. Larry, Murray L.W |
Journal | Applied Animal Behavior Science |
Volume | 19 |
Pagination | 27-30 |
Date Published | 1987 |
Abstract | Abusive and non-abusive (tolerant) heifers were individually identified during pen confinement with young sheep. Physical aggression by abusive heifers toward lambs included butting and kicking. Two groups of three 75-day-old lambs confined with tolerant heifers developed a bond after 20 days and a strong bond after 55 days. However, three lambs confined with abusive heifers were not bonded at 20 days, but formed a satisfactory bond with the cattle after 55 days as the cattle became more tolerant of the lambs. During pen confinement, lambs with abusive heifers spent 41% of the time in a creep area away from heifers. In contrast, lambs in two tolerant lamb-heifer groups spent only 15% of their time in the creep area. Heifers which are abusive to lambs should be identified and removed from lamb heifer groups if bonding is to be accomplished consistently and efficiently. |
URL | /files/bibliography/307.pdf |
DOI | 10.1016/0168-1591(87)90199-7 |