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Ethology of sheep
Smolová, Markéta ; Fantová, Milena (advisor) ; Toušová, Renata (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to give the readers a closer look on the topic of ethology of sheeps. The aim was to record and evaluate all available data of the behavior of sheep depending on climatic conditions, livestock and provide a view into this issue.
Sheep and goats are oldest domestic species on the planet. Sheep farming has its own specifics, which farmers must respect. A good indicator of suitability or unsuitability of applied breeding technology, health and welfare are their behavior.
Thesis deals with the ways of grazing techniques and their suitability for sheep. It describes the factors that affect sheep. It focuses mainly on grazing which is most suitable, because it satisfies behavioral and physiological needs of the sheep as well and minimizes work and increases yields. It also deals with individual life manifestations of sheeps such as food intake and excretion, rumination, walk, rest and sleep. Sheep spends all day with these particular acts. The thesis focuses on the reactions of stress, stress factors and possible alternative solutions to eliminate stress factors. There are also important the social and sexual behavior. Sexual behavior is crucial factor for fertility and birth rate, which is the main factor of economic profitability. Large part of the thesis is devoted to the relationship between ewes and lambs during their lives. It describes the lactation process, ewe behavior to the lamb, lamb playful behavior and weaning. Part of the thesis is devoted to comfort behavior and thermoregulation. The last part deals with the sensory properties of sheeps- sight, hearing, smell, taste and sense of touch.
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