Patterns of maternal-offspring behaviour of dairy sheep and potential association with mammary health

Behaviour during lactation and its relationship with mammary health was investigated in 12 dairy ewes (six with single lambs and six with twins) for 42 d after lambing. Behavioural recordings were made. Samples of teat duct material and of mammary secretion were collected for bacteriological and cytological examination. Ewes performed similar patterns of behaviour as those described in the literature for meat breeds, but with some differences. No negative maternal behaviours were observed; ewes showed reduced “Grooming” and “Sniffing” immediately post-partum. Of 480 duct or secretion samples, 39 and 3, respectively (P < 0.001), yielded bacteria. There was no difference in the frequency of bacterial isolation from ewes suckling singles or twins: 46 and 54% of isolates, respectively (P = 0.637). There was greater frequency of bacterial isolation during the first stage of lactation (day 0–day 3), 0.125, compared with the second (day 4– day 11), 0.083, the third (day 12–day 30), 0.063, and the fourth (day 31–...