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| VOLUME 57
(2009), ISSUE 1,
Papers |
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Measurement of an indicator of Sheep Temperament based on Recording Movement within a Commercial Weighing Crate
Brian J. Horton, DPIPWE Tasmania
Karen Pirlot, DPIPWE Tasmania
Dale R. Miller, TIAR
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Brian J. Horton, Karen Pirlot, and Dale R. Miller
(2009)
"Measurement of an indicator of Sheep Temperament based on Recording Movement within a Commercial Weighing Crate",
International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science:
Vol. 57:
No. 1,
Paper 4, pp. 47-61.
http://sheepjournal.une.edu.au/sheepjournal/vol57/iss1/paper4
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This study investigates the development of a practical system for temperament assessment in sheep on-farm using currently available weighing technology. Most commercial livestock scales are capable of recording multiple weights per second, which are normally used to obtain an average weight. The movement of a sheep within a weighing crate can be measured by this continuous liveweight recording system using the coefficient of variation (CV) of the weight measured over 5 to 20 seconds. Calmer sheep were defined as those exhibiting lower CV measurements.
The repeatability of these measurements was 0.52 to 0.59 (p<0.1%) in adult sheep, and was increased with greater experience of the weighing process. Movement scores at 6 to 7 months of age were highly repeatable and lamb scores at 7 months were correlated (p<1%) with their dam’s score. The calmest sheep exhibited higher liveweight, improved maternal behaviour, and increased lamb survival (p<5%).
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