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Observations On The Mating Behaviour Of Rams, K P. Croker, D. R. Lindsay

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

TO work efficiently in commercial flocks, rams must mate with and fertilise relatively large numbers of ewes, often over short periods of mating.

The importance of mating behaviour is obvious. Despite this, little is known of the mating behaviour of rams under commercial situations.

A series of experiments in 1968 at Badgingarra Research Station was designed to investigate this and other aspects of mating behaviour.

Recommendations For Management Of Flocks During Joining, K P. Croker

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE age or experience of the ram, the number of ewes it has to serve and the management of the ram and ewe flock at mating time all influence the lamb-marking percentage.

These are the findings of a systematic research programme conducted over the period 1963 to 1955 by Dr. R. J. Lightfoot,* in collaboration with Mr. J. A. C. Smithf (1966) and continued by the author in the years 1967 to 1969.