Effect of available space and previous contact in the social integration of Saint Croix and Suffolk ewes

摘要: Reproduction in tropical sheep is not affected by season, whereas the reproductive cycle of temperate-climate breeds such as Suffolk depends on photoperiod. Close contact with ewes during anestrous period might induce to cycle, making use artificial light or hormonal treatments unnecessary. However, integration both within social group would be necessary trigger this effect, and so aim experiment was determine speed 2 groups Saint Croix into a single flock, according space allowance previous experience. For this, 6 10 (half from each breed) breeds, housed at 4 m/ewe (3 groups/treatment) without other breed, were monitored for 3 d. Each observation day, behavior, movement, collected min 1-h intervals between 0900 1400 h. Generalized linear mixed models used test effects allowance, experience space. Net distances, interbreed farthest neighbor distance, mean walking frequencies greater ( < 0.05). Intrabreed nearest neighbor, intrabreed distances minimum convex polygons greatest ewes, opposite found lying down Experienced showed larger polygons, home range overlapping longest total step lengths movement activity walked longer Day 1 Lying frequency than 0.05), kept interindividual After d cohabitation, did fully integrate cohesive breed displaying specific behavioral patterns. Decreasing resulted limited benefits successful cohesion. Longer cohabitation periods result complete integration, although practical implementation difficult.