The effect of age, environment and management on social contact patterns in sheep

摘要: Abstract Social structures of group-living farm animals can have important implications for animal welfare and productivity. Understanding which factors an effect on social behaviour is thus in order to develop the best management strategies livestock industries. Here, we studied network structure a flock 84 Poll Dorset ewes collecting dyadic associations data through use proximity sensors during two study periods. First, analysed at group-level, by analysing community structure, individual-level, determining whether showed differentiation their association patterns. Second, measured contribution genetic relatedness, age, weight, reproductive status previous sub grouping test homophily effects. Lastly, evaluated clustering was influenced stocking density individuals field, weather parameters, climatic indices, Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) Wind Chill (WCI). Our results that pairwise between are not-random highly heterogeneous, both total time spent contact contacts duration. There no evidence were subdivided into communities, individual level, they markedly differentiated relationships, demonstrating preferences ties. However, preferred interactions changed over time. In first period tended maintain bonds formed grouping, most likely due familiarization resulting from repeated with same individuals. second similarity age strength among ewes. We found significant influence status, weight (as indicator body size) relatedness either period. Moreover, our tendency form clusters varied relation animals’ density, The identification conditions modify sheep critically implement productivity highlight how change depending environmental contexts.