TY - JFULL AU - T. M. Mousa-Balabel and M. A. Salama PY - 2010/6/ TI - Impact of Shearing Date on Behaviors and Performances of Pregnant Rahmani Ewes T2 - International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences SP - 366 EP - 371 VL - 4 SN - 1307-6892 UR - https://publications.waset.org/pdf/4127 PU - World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology NX - Open Science Index 41, 2010 N2 - The effect of shearing date on behaviors and performances of 20 pregnant Rahmani ewes was evaluated in four groups (5each). Ewes were shorn at 70, 100 and 130 days of pregnancy in the first three groups respectively, while the fourth group was maintained unshorn as a control. Some behavioral and physiological data related to ewes in addition, blood cortisol level were recorded. Results revealed a significant increase in the frequencies of comfort and eating behaviors, respiratory rate, pulse rate, lamb birth weight and blood cortisol level in early and mid pregnancy shorn ewes. Also, a slight increase in pregnancy period was observed for those ewes. On the other hand, social behaviors, and core temperature were not affected by shearing. These results conclude that prenatal shearing (early and mid-pregnancy) of ewes increases the frequencies of comfort and eating behaviors, and improves the survival rates of lambs by increasing their birth weights. ER -