Behavioral Response of Pregnant Ewes to High Ambient Temperature in Loose Housing System

Abstract

Abstract. In order to investigate the behavioral responses of pregnant ewes to high ambient temperature in a loose housing system , eighty-seven pregnant ewes (Chinese little fat-tailed sheep, Ovis aries) from the same loose house were chosen, and nine ewes with the similar body weight and age were marked for later individual behavioral observation. The ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and the individual behaviors of the pregnant ewes were observed continuously from 04:50 to 20:00 once every other day for 14 days. The behavioral state of all the pregnant ewes was recorded once every hour from 5:00 to 20:00, the number of pregnant ewes selecting specific lying areas (designated as area A and area B), was recorded at 15 minute intervals from 12:00 to 17:00 everyday. The final results show that the behavioral durations are significantly different in eating and drinking, rumination, rest, and locomotion for pregnant ewes (P