The effect of pre-partum shearing of Corriedale ewes on placental and lamb development and neonatal behaviour.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of early and late pre-partum shearing of Corriedale ewes carrying single fetuses on placental and lamb development and neonatal lamb behaviour.

Methods: At 70 days of gestation, 37 multiparous Corriedale ewes with known gestation dates were randomly allocated into three groups: S70 (n = 12) and S110 (n = 12), shorn at Day 70 and 110 of gestation, and US (n = 13), that were not shorn pre-partum. Gestation length, lambing duration, placental expulsion time, placental weight, number and weight of cotyledons, and placental efficiency (lamb weight/placental weight) were determined.