Reproductive management (including impacts of prenatal stress on offspring development)

Dwyer, Cathy

doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-100718-1.00007-8

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…According to the biology of sheep, giving birth to one or more precocial young means that the investmentin terms of energy resources and weightof pregnant sheep differ from species, such as rabbits, where the young are born in an altricial state (as reviewed by Nowak et al (2000)). Sheep give birth to one or typically more precocial offspring, the weight of which at birth can be more than 10% of the mother's own body weight (Dwyer, 2017). This depends on the breed, as modern sheep breeds have been selected for increased litter size and increased productivity traits in the offspring such as heavier birth weight.…”

Section: Conditions Leading To Sheep Being Unfit For Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2000)). Sheep give birth to one or typically more precocial offspring, the weight of which at birth can be more than 10% of the mother's own body weight (Dwyer, 2017). This depends on the breed, as modern sheep breeds have been selected for increased litter size and increased productivity traits in the offspring such as heavier birth weight.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fetuses may be exposed to prenatal stress, that has the potential to affect them later in life (Braastad, 1998), and across the studied animal species, gestational periods especially sensitive to prenatal stress have been identified. In her review chapter, Dwyer (2017) concluded that the evidence of the potential consequences of prenatal stress in sheep currently is rather patchy and inconclusive. It can, however, not be excluded that transport stress experienced while in utero can affect lambs.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welfare of small ruminants during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of animal welfare legislation. The present Opinion deals with the protection of small ruminants (sheep and goats) during transport. The main focus is on welfare of sheep during transport by road but other means of transport and concerns for welfare of goats during transport are also covered. Current practices related to transport of sheep during the different stages (preparation, loading and unloading, transit and journey breaks) are described. Overall, 11 welfare consequences were identified as being highly relevant for the welfare of sheep during transport based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, predation stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A wide variety of hazards, mainly relating to inappropriate or aggressive handling of animals, structural deficiencies of vehicles and facilities, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices, leading to these welfare consequences were identified. The Opinion contains general and specific conclusions in relation to the different stages of transport. Recommendations to prevent hazards and to correct or mitigate welfare consequences have been developed. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions within the means of transport and spatial thresholds (minimum space allowance). The development of welfare consequences over time were assessed in relation to maximum journey time. The Opinion covers specific animal transport scenarios identified by the European Commission relating to the export of sheep by livestock vessels, export of sheep by road, roll-on-roll-off vessels and 'special health status animals', and lists welfare concerns associated with these.

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Section: Conditions Leading To Sheep Being Unfit For Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welfare of small ruminants during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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“…However, combined, the results suggest that shearing should be avoided within 4 weeks of breeding and during the breeding period. Shearing within this window can result in delayed onset of puberty due to stress [ 113 ], as well as depressed ovulation rate and consequent lower pregnancy and multiple bearing rates [ 114 ]. However, under warm and humid environmental conditions during the summer and autumn period, it has been suggested shearing can alleviate heat stress and, thus, stimulate appetite and liveweight gain [ 10 ].…”

Section: Factors Affecting Ewe Lamb Performance Prior To and During B...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding Ewe Lambs: An Australasian Perspective

Kenyon

Corner-Thomas

2022

Animals

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A number of potential advantages have been identified for breeding ewe lambs at 7 to 9 months of age, including increased lifetime productivity and profitability. However, breeding at this young age in extensive pastoral systems, such as in Australasia, can be associated with a number of disadvantages resulting in uptake of this management procedure being relatively low. This review highlights the known differences between ewe lamb and mature ewe reproductive performance, thus differing in their management. The review then summaries the scientific literature of factors that affect ewe lamb reproductive success, with a focus on recent studies conducted under extensive pasture-based conditions in Australasia. In particular, this review outlines the importance of ewe lamb live weight and body condition score on their productivity. The potential long-term consequences of breeding a ewe lamb at a young age in terms of her future success and that of her offspring to weaning are briefly outlined. In addition, the potential impacts of selecting progeny born to ewe lambs as future replacement ewes are discussed. Throughout this review, optimal management guidelines from prior to breeding the ewe lambs until rebreeding at 2 years of age are provided. Lastly, areas requiring future research are identified and discussed.

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