The effect of age at mating on the behavioural interactions between primiparous Djallonke ewes and their lambs at 36 h post-partum

Abstract

Primiparous Djallonke ewes mated at 12, 15, 18 and 21 months and their single-born lambs were tested to determine their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition at 36 h post-partum. An analysis of variance was used to determine whether the age at mating had an effect on these post-partum behaviours. At 36 h, 92% of the lambs responded actively to separation from dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more) while 90% of the ewes responded actively to separation from lambs. About 87% of the lambs were able to recognize their dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more) while 90% of the ewes were able to recognize their lambs. The results showed that the age at mating and thus at lambing despite a slight effect on lamb birthweight had no significant effect on the response of lambs and their dams to separation. It also had no effect on the mutual recognition of mother and young. This suggests that the age at which ewes lamb for the first time has no influence on mother–young bond expression.