MATERNAL VOCAL RECOGNITION IN LAMBS BORN TO JACOB AND DALESBRED EWES AFTER EMBRYO TRANSPLANTATION BETWEEN BREEDS

Shillito Walser, E., Willadsen, S. and Hague, P., 1982. Maternal vocal recognition in lambs born to Jacob and Dalesbred ewes after embryo transplantation between breeds. Appl. Anim. Ethol., 8: 479–486. Vocal recognition tests were carried out with lambs born to Jacob and Dalesbred ewes after embryo transplantation, so that ewes gave birth to lambs of both breeds. 61% of Jacob and Dalesbred lambs born to Dalesbred ewes found their dams when they were hidden behind canvas, in comparison with 28% of the lambs born to Jacob ewes. It is concluded that the voices of the Dalesbred ewes are more easily identified by the lambs, than are the voices of the Jacob ewes; but some behaviour of the ewes may also influence this result.