Measures of temperament are highly repeatable in Merino sheep and some are related to maternal behaviour.

Abstract

SUMMARY Measures of animal temperament have been shown to be related to production in several domesticated livestock species. In this study we aimed to test whether components of temperament of Merino sheep, as measured in arena and box tests, were repeatable across ages, and whether they were related to the maternal behaviour of ewes at lambing. The components of temperament were highly repeatable when assessed at weaning, hogget age and 2.5 years. In general the relationships between measures of temperament and maternal behaviour were not strong in this preliminary study of 39 ewes. However, the behaviour of ewes in the box test was moderately correlated to components of maternal behaviour and this test shows promise as an indicator of maternal rearing ability.