Behaviour and meat production of organically farmed unweaned lambs
2002
Napolitano, F. | Braghieri, A. | Cifuni, G.F. | Pacilli, C. | Girolami, A.
Twenty Sarda male lambs, equally divided into two groups, were used to evaluate the effect of artificial rearing on animal behaviour and meat production. Artificially reared lambs showed an altered behavioural pattern with increased suckling attempts (P < 0.001) and levels of social interactions with peers (P < 0.05). In the open field test, they also displayed withdrawal behaviour in terms of reduced time of locomotion (P < 0.05) and increased latency time to the first movement (P < 0.05). Ewe-reared lambs showed a higher growth rate and produced more valuable carcasses. It was concluded that dam-rearing, which is compulsory in organic fanning (EU Regulation 1804/1999), can improve carcass quality and affect animal behaviour, which, in turn, is a widely used welfare indicator.
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