Exploration the relationship between the weaning method and the welfare of early weaned Lacaune lambs.rar

Weaning is a key moment in the life of the lambs, but there is no information regarding which part of the day is best to separate lambs from their mothers to reduce weaning stress. The experiment was conducted with 45 Lacaune lambs, of which 15 were separated to determine behavior and welfare. During the experiment, three methods of weaning were tested – abrupt weaning (control, AW), versus two preweaning separation strategies, separation of lambs from mothers at night (NS) and preweaning separation of lambs during the day (DS). The preweaning separation periods were 12 h. During the pre-weaning period (PWP) the BW of NS and DS lambs was lower compared to that of animals that are not separated from mothers. However, at weaning NS lambs were heavier (P<0.05) than DS. Separating the lambs from their mothers at night increased the consumption of concentrate feed after weaning (P<0.05), which had an impact on their weight at the end of the study (P<0.05). Before weaning, DS lambs spent 46.2% more time and NS lambs 13.3% more time moving than AW lambs that are not separated from mothers (P <0.05), allowing us to describe it as an indicator of a stressful situation. The NS lambs spend more time lying down (P<0.05) which may explain the BW advantage for NS. The separation of lambs from mothers before weaning affects the time for consumption of feed, water, and salt (P<0.05). After weaning, NS lambs spend less time moving and standing (P<0.05), which is considered as an indicator of better welfare in this group of animals. Compared to the other two groups, the separation of lambs at night reduces stress and improves their nutritional status after weaning. Hematologic variables in the NS lambs (C, Gl, TP and Alb), shows that this method of weaning has a positive effect on behavior and welfare in early weaned lambs.