Genetic parameters for birth difficulty, lamb vigour and lamb sucking ability in Suffolk sheep
This study investigates the genetic basis of lamb vigour (defined as neonatal lamb activity and sucking ability) and lambing difficulty as potential traits to be included in selection programmes to improve ewe and lamb welfare. Scores for lamb birth difficulty, vigour and sucking ability were collected shortly after birth on 1,520 lambs born in 2006 […]
The sucking behaviour and milk intake of one- to three-week-old triplet lambs during natural and competitive suckling situations
Within triplet litters, light-born lambs are at greater risk of dying than heavier lambs in the first week of life. However, the implications of within-litter differences in sucking behaviour for milk intake and growth beyond the first week are unclear. We hypothesized that within litter, triplets born lightest would still be lightest at one to […]