SHEEP BEHAVIOUR BASICS: PART 2 Reproduction: Lambing: Lamb survival: Fostering By Dr Clive Dalton The ewe Signs of oestrus in the ewe These are not very obvious compared to cattle. Here are some: The ram The “ram effect” Lambing Ewe behaviour prior to lambing On the birth site: Burglar ewes Mothering and lamb survival A … Read more
DOG BEHAVIOUR BASICS: PART 3 Reproduction: Birth: Early life: Socialisation By Dr Clive Dalton Note her good body condition – but this sized litter and the heavy milk drag will quickly thin her down if she’s not fed properly and the pups supplemented. Reproduction Bitches Signs of oestrus in bitch Dogs (males) Desexing – castration … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, keeping a house cow, mating, milking, health, breeds By Dr Clive Dalton Is it a good idea? Keeping a house cow may seem like a great idea, but consider these points before you are persuaded: Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, pregnancy, yearlings, unplanned, management, decisions By Dr Clive Dalton Signs of pregnancy How does it happen? Well-grown young calves can start cycling as early as four months of age, and long before weaning. If a bull is running with the herd, he may mate the well-grown calves as well as their mothers, … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton The time of the bulls! Complacency kills Handling facilities for bulls Peak danger time Fight of flight Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not accept any liability to any person for actions taken as a result of the information or advice … Read more
Practice in New ZealandAbout 20% of New Zealand farmers now put their hoggets to the ram at 8-9 months of age to lamb when they are about a year old. They normally lamb them first as two-tooths at two years old to give the hogget time to grow and mature. But to get more production … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, the cow, reproduction, oestrus signs and length, short cycle, silent heat, teaser bulls, artificial insemination, drying off, inductions ( abortions) By Dr Clive Dalton When will a cow come on heat? How long does a cow stay on heat? What are the signs of heat in cattle? Cows coming on heat Cows … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, breeding, reproduction, artificial insemination (AI), artificial breeding (AB), achieving good results, how to keep the AI technician happy By Dr Clive Dalton What’s the problem?Because cows are inseminated by humans, and because humans vary in their manual dexterity, pregnancy rates can vary with the operator, although AI organisations do their very best … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton The female Signs of oestrusSows and gilts in oestrus show any combination of the following signs: Mating Female behaviour before birth Signs of birth Behaviour during birth Early sow and piglet behaviour after birth Fostering piglets The systems used are: The male Boar behaviour and handling Boars and Artificial Insemination (AI) … Read more