01278naa a2200145 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000180006024501220007826000090020052007730020965000100098270000170099277301230100920884592018-03-02       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.  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.  tIn: ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, 2002, York. Proceedings... Medlothian: BSAS, 2002. p. 70.