Variations in the strength of maternal behaviour and its conflict with flocking behaviour in Dalesbred, Jacob and Soay ewes

Abstract

Dalesbred, Jacob and Soay ewes were tested in a T maze to observe the behaviour of the ewes when given a choice between going near to their own lambs or to a group of ewes and lambs from the flock. The sheep were tested when the lambs were 2, 9, 21 and 42 days old. Most of the ewes ran to their lambs as a first choice. There was no breed difference in time to run or choice made with all the age groups, but the ewes moved away from the lambs more quickly as the lambs got older. The Dalesbred ewes stayed close to their lambs for longer than the other ewes when the lambs were 2 and 9 days old. The Soay ewes spent the shortest time with their lambs when the lambs were 40 days old, and they also showed a greater tendency to move to the flock than the Dalesbred and Jacobs. The Dalesbred ewes returned to their lambs more often than other breeds and the Jacobs tended to stay at the junction of the maze. It is suggested that maternal behaviour is strongest in Dalesbreds with young lambs and the flock tendency highest in Soays with older lambs.