Effect of drinking water temperature and mineral supplementation on pre and post-lambing behavior of Corriedale ewes and their newborn lambs.

Abstract

Lamb mortality poses a serious challenge to the sheep industry, leading to immediate financial losses for livestock owners. Improvement of management practices, particularly through environmental enrichment, has been consistently linked to increased lamb survival and growth in both ewes and lambs due to its substantial impact on their behavior and overall welfare. In our study, we aimed to enhance ewe production and improve ewe behavior through the optimization of water temperature and the inclusion of mineral supplementation. To conduct our research, four distinct groups comprising 10 ewes each were formed based on body weight and parity. Our comprehensive study involved the observation of both pre and post-lambing behaviors in ewes, as well as the examination of lamb behavior. The pregnant ewes were monitored using video camera surveillance. For studying the pre-partum behavior, videos were thoroughly analyzed for 3h before parturition. For studying post-partum and lambing behavior, videos were analyzed for 3 days (24h per day). Notably, the group that received warm water and mineral supplementation exhibited a discernibly positive behavioral response. These findings illuminate a promising approach for improving ewe production while simultaneously reducing lamb mortality. Our research contributes valuable insights into the sheep industry, offering a pathway toward enhanced animal welfare, economic sustainability, and increased profitability for livestock owners.