THE EFFECT OF SEPARATION FROM DAM ON SUCKLING DURATION AND FREQUENCY OF LAMBS

The influence of separation from dam on suckling behavior of lambs was tested from day 5 after lambing until the lambs were 8 days old. The twelve ewes with their lambs were randomly assigned in equal numbers to two treatments; separating from dam (S) and non-separating without suckling (NS). Separation from dam resulted in lower duration and higher frequency of suckling. The lambs in S treatment had shown lower milk intake as compared to rearing lambs by NS treatment until 8th day. Milk intake, duration and frequency of suckling in both groups decreased as age of the lamb increased until last day. Separation treatment was associated with stress in dams and their lambs had negative effect on suckling behavior and milk intake of offspring.