Assessment of stress in relation to sheep shearing by using behavioural and physiological measurements

Journal Title: Journal of Veterinary Medical Research - Year 2008, Vol 18, Issue 2

Abstract

This study was carried out in Sids Agricultural Research Station belonging to Animal Production Research Institute in Beni-Suef governorate on a total number of forty apparently healthy ewe lambs with average weight of 28±0.5 kg to clarify the effect of shearing as a stressor on comfort, feeding and social behaviour and blood cortisol level. Ewe lambs were divided into three groups, the first one (n=10) is shorn at spring, the second (n=10) is shorn in autumn and the third (n=20) is kept as a control. Results showed that there was no significant difference in patterns of comfort behaviour between shorn and unshorn ewes except for grooming behaviour which was significantly (p<0.01) increased in shorn than unshorn groups. Blood cortisol level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in ewes shorn in spring and autumn at time of shearing (zero minute) than pre-treatment (-20 minutes) and post-treatment time (3 hours following shearing). So the cortisol measurements is a useful indicator of short-term stresses from handling or husbandry procedures such as shearing.

Authors and Affiliations

H. H. Emeash; A. S. Mostafa; N. M. Abdel-Azem Department of Hygiene, Management and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt.

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP682705
  • DOI -
  • Views 202
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How To Cite

H. H. Emeash; A. S. Mostafa; N. M. Abdel-Azem Department of Hygiene, Management and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt. (2008). Assessment of stress in relation to sheep shearing by using behavioural and physiological measurements. Journal of Veterinary Medical Research, 18(2), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-682705