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Differences in the acute pain responses of two breeds of lamb following castration and tail docking with the rubber ring method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

N Archer ,
AM Johnston  and
M Khalid
N Archer
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK
AM Johnston
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK
M Khalid*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Charolais × and Suffolk × Mule lambs of less than one week of age were castrated and tail docked using a standard rubber ring technique. After these procedures, their behaviour was monitored for I h. Their respiration rates and scrotal sac measurements were also recorded. Both breeds of lamb exhibited abnormal behaviour patterns following these procedures. The recumbent behaviour pattern of both breeds was remarkably similar but their standing behaviour differed markedly. The Charolais × lambs were significantly more active and had significantly higher respiration rates compared with the Suffolk × lambs. They also took a greater amount of time to recover to a normal posture. Their abnormal behavioural responses suggested that both breeds of lamb experienced acute pain following castration and tail docking, but the type of behaviour exhibited was breed-dependent. The findings suggest that different breeds of lamb may experience different levels of distress in response to the same husbandry procedure. Alternatively, they may simply reflect a difference in the character and temperament of the breeds studied.

Keywords

animal welfarebreed differencecastrationlambspain responsetail docking
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , May 2004 , pp. 135 - 141
Copyright
© 2004 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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