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<p>The aim of the study to evaluate the effect of weaning method on stress and welfare in lambs based on their growth, locomotor activity, behavior and hematological parameters. The experiment was conducted with 45 lambs born from 33 4-year-old Lacaune sheep. Three weaning methods were applied, abrupt weaning (AW, control, <i>n</i> = 15), versus two pre-weaning separation strategies, separation of lambs from mothers at night (NS, <i>n</i> = 15) and pre-weaning separation of lambs during the day (DS, <i>n</i> = 15). During the pre-weaning period (PWP) the BW of NS and DS lambs was lower compared to that of animals that are not separated from mothers (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05).Throughout the entire study period, NS lambs had the highest average daily gain and DS the lowest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Before weaning, DS lambs spent more time moving (08:36&#xa0;min/h) compared with NS and AW (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) and NS lambs spend more time lying down (39:59&#xa0;min/h, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). After weaning, NS lambs spent less time moving (04:50&#xa0;min/h), standing (04:17&#xa0;min/h) and more time passive (01:35&#xa0;min/h) and consuming concentrate (02:52&#xa0;min/h) than the other two groups (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Hematological variables showed that before weaning, AW and DS lambs had the highest cortisol and glucose (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). At, day 25 AW lambs had the highest values for cortisol, glucose and albumin and the lowest total protein (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). This study indicates that NS as a pre-weaning conditioning method is a clear advantage as a management strategy to prepare animals for the transition to weaning.</p>

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The effect of weaning methods on stress and the welfare in early weaned lambs

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月15日

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  • Miroslav Simeonov,
  • David L. Harmon,
  • Ina Stoycheva,
  • Milena Mihailova

摘要

The aim of the study to evaluate the effect of weaning method on stress and welfare in lambs based on their growth, locomotor activity, behavior and hematological parameters. The experiment was conducted with 45 lambs born from 33 4-year-old Lacaune sheep. Three weaning methods were applied, abrupt weaning (AW, control, n = 15), versus two pre-weaning separation strategies, separation of lambs from mothers at night (NS, n = 15) and pre-weaning separation of lambs during the day (DS, n = 15). During the pre-weaning period (PWP) the BW of NS and DS lambs was lower compared to that of animals that are not separated from mothers (P < 0.05).Throughout the entire study period, NS lambs had the highest average daily gain and DS the lowest (P < 0.05). Before weaning, DS lambs spent more time moving (08:36 min/h) compared with NS and AW (P < 0.05) and NS lambs spend more time lying down (39:59 min/h, P < 0.05). After weaning, NS lambs spent less time moving (04:50 min/h), standing (04:17 min/h) and more time passive (01:35 min/h) and consuming concentrate (02:52 min/h) than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Hematological variables showed that before weaning, AW and DS lambs had the highest cortisol and glucose (P < 0.05). At, day 25 AW lambs had the highest values for cortisol, glucose and albumin and the lowest total protein (P < 0.05). This study indicates that NS as a pre-weaning conditioning method is a clear advantage as a management strategy to prepare animals for the transition to weaning.