01263nam a2200133 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000180006024501220007826001290020052007730032965000100110270000170111220884592025-02-05       2002    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d1 aPICKUP, H. E.  aBreed differences in the expression of maternal care at parturition persist throughout the lactation period in sheep.  aIn: ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, 2002, York. Proceedings... Medlothian: BSAS, 2002. p. 70.c2002  aThe results indicate that breed differences in maternal care do persist throughout the lactation period. Blackface ewes have a greater tendency to groom their lambs after parturition, show a greater attraction to their lambs at 3 days post-partum and are closer to them throughout the lactation period, compared to Suffolk ewes. They show more communication with their lambs via the ?head-up? posture and their lambs have a higher proportion of successful sucking attempts. This suggests that Blackface ewes have a closer association with their lambs compared to Suffolk ewes. A close ewe-lamb association is likely to be advantageous in protecting the lamb from predators, preventing it from becoming separated from the flock and consequently improving lamb survival.  aSheep1 aDWYER, C. M.