Effect Of Pen Enrichment On Performance And Behavior Of Isolated West African Dwarf Rams

Abstract

Sheep are highly social animals that love being in the comfort of their flock, and anything that separates or isolates them from their flock subjects them to stress.12 West African Dwarf weaned rams were allotted into 6 different pens each in isolation. The pens were enriched with coloured walls and mirror. T1- control with no enrichment; T2- enriched with mirror only; T3- enriched with mirror and red coloured wall; T4- enriched with mirror and green coloured wall; T5- enriched with mirror and red coloured wall; T6-enriched with mirror and yellow coloured wall.Each treatment got replicated twice with one ram. The experiment lasted 6 weeks during which data were collected on feeding pattern, water consumption, vocalization frequency, time spent on specific behaviors such as eating, drinking,walking, self image watching, resting and frequency of head-butt towards the self-image in the mirror. The behaviors were captured with the use of 6 television cameras installed in the experimental pens. Blood samples were also taken at the last day for haematological studies. Data generated were analyzed statistically. The enrichment had no effect on feed intake, final body weight and weight gained. However, the behavioral responses to the different enrichment varied. The results of this work suggest that mirror and colored background can be used to alleviate stress among isolated rams in the short run only.