Preference in shorn sheep for different types of slatted flooring at low ambient temperatures

•Ewes showed clear preferences for standing/walking and resting on solid floor materials rather than on slatted floors.•Heat conductivity properties were different between floor materials, but this did not influence behaviour parameters as expected.•There are other properties than heat conductivity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Small ruminant research 2017-08, Vol.153, p.17-22
Main Authors: Jørgensen, Grete Helen Meisfjord, Johanssen, Juni Rosann Engelien, Bøe, Knut Egil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behaviour
Ewes
Heat conductivity
Huddling
Slatted floor
Wool
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Summary:•Ewes showed clear preferences for standing/walking and resting on solid floor materials rather than on slatted floors.•Heat conductivity properties were different between floor materials, but this did not influence behaviour parameters as expected.•There are other properties than heat conductivity of the materials that influence ewes’ preferences at low ambient temperatures. The aim of this study was to investigate the preference of ewes for different floor materials at low ambient temperatures. A total of 30 non-pregnant ewes were sheared and allocated to one of ten stable groups with three animals per group. Ten pens were constructed with two different floor materials and ewes could eat and drink through a continuous feed opening on both floor materials. Groups were habituated to all floor material combinations and systematically rotated through the ten pens. Behaviours standing/walking; resting and eating/drinking were scored from 20h video recordings using instantaneous sampling in 10min intervals. Location in the pen (section A or B) and physical contact during resting was also recorded. Sheared ewes showed clear preferences for standing/walking (F4,80=14.6, P
ISSN:0921-4488
1879-0941
DOI:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.05.002