Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-03T16:06:53.130Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Influence of coat colour on Chamarita sheep phenotypes, behaviour, welfare and performances

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2014

M. Pascual-Alonso ,
G.C. Miranda-de la Lama ,
L. Aguayo-Ulloa ,
M. Villarroel ,
S. Alierta  and
G.A. Maria
M. Pascual-Alonso*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, E-50013, (50013) Zaragoza, Spain
G.C. Miranda-de la Lama
Affiliation:
Group of Animal Welfare and Sustainable Livestock Production, Department of Food Science, Metropolitan Autonomous University, UAM-Lerma, State of México, México
L. Aguayo-Ulloa
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, E-50013, (50013) Zaragoza, Spain
M. Villarroel
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, E.T.S.I.A. Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
S. Alierta
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, E-50013, (50013) Zaragoza, Spain
G.A. Maria
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, E-50013, (50013) Zaragoza, Spain
*
Correspondence to: M. Pascual-Alonso email: mpascual@unizar.es
Get access

Summary

Many rustic breeds under low levels of genetic selection maintain variations in coat colour, which local farmers link to production traits, but few quantitative analyses have been made of the effect of coat colour on several zootechnical parameters of importance. The aim of the study was to describe differences in morphology, production, behaviour and welfare of adult sheep ewes (n = 50) in a Chamarita breed flock in terms of coat colour. The wool and skin colour of Chamarita sheep are quite variable, with white, black and galana sheep. Morphological measurements (weight, body length, height at withers and thorax circumference) were not significantly different for different coat colours but white sheep tended to be larger. Average litter size (1.29 lambs per ewe) was also similar, but white coated sheep gave birth to larger lambs. White-mother lambs also had a higher average daily growth during the milking period, although final weaning weight was similar to black ones. Most (>70 percent) of all the aggressive interactions observed were performed by white sheep, while affiliative interactions (friendly interactions that promote group cohesion) were similar among coat colour. Regarding the welfare assessment, most indicators were similar among sheep with different coat colour except for glucose in blood plasma, which was higher in white sheep. Chamarita ewes are relatively small compared with other breeds, and well adapted to their environment, including the production system and harder climatic conditions. Their performance is within the average of local breeds and still has margins for improvement, which underline the importance of their conservation.

Résumé

Beaucoup de races considérées comme rustiques et ayant été soumises à une faible pression de sélection génétique conservent des variations dans la couleur de leur robe que certains éleveurs associent à des caractères productifs. Cependant, l'effet de la couleur de la robe sur des paramètres zootechniques d'importance n'a guère été étudié. L'objectif de cette étude a été de décrire les différences en morphologie, production, comportement et bien-être selon la couleur de la robe de 50 brebis adultes de la race Chamarita. Les mesures morphologiques (poids, longueur, hauteur au garrot, circonférence thoracique) n'ont pas différé significativement entre les couleurs de robe même si les brebis blanches ont tendu à être plus grandes. La prolificité (1.29 agneaux/brebis) a aussi été similaire mais les brebis blanches ont eu des agneaux plus grands. Les agneaux de mères blanches ont aussi eu un gain moyen quotidien plus élevé, bien que le poids final ait été similaire à celui des agneaux de mères noires. La plupart (>70 pour cent) des interactions agressives observées ont été réalisées par des brebis blanches, alors que le pourcentage d'interactions affiliatives a été similaire pour les deux couleurs de robe. En ce qui concerne l'évaluation du bien-être, aucune différence n'a été décelée entre les couleurs de robe pour la plupart des indicateurs, hormis le glucose sanguin qui a été plus élevé chez les brebis blanches. Les brebis Chamaritas sont relativement petites par rapport à d'autres races et sont bien adaptées à leur environnement productif. Leurs performances productives sont satisfaisantes et peuvent encore être améliorées, comme quoi la conservation de cette race s'avère importante.

Resumen

Muchas razas consideradas rústicas y sometidas a poca presión de selección genética mantienen variaciones en el color de capa que algunos ganaderos relacionan con caracteres productivos, pero se han realizado pocos estudios respecto al efecto del color de capa en algunos parámetros zootécnicos de importancia. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir diferencias en morfología, producción, comportamiento y bienestar de ovejas adultas (n = 50) de raza Chamarita en cuanto a color de capa. Las medidas morfológicas (peso, largura, altura a la cruz, circunferencia torácica) no resultaron significativamente diferentes entre colores de capa aunque las ovejas blancas tendían a ser más grandes. La prolificidad (1.29 corderos/oveja) también fue similar pero las ovejas blancas tuvieron corderos más grandes. Los corderos de madres blancas también tuvieron una mayor ganancia diaria (ADG), aunque el peso final fue similar al de los corderos de madres negras. La mayoría (>70 percent) de las interacciones agresivas observadas fueron ejecutadas por ovejas blancas, mientras que las interacciones afiliativas resultaron similares en ambos colores de capa. En cuanto a la evaluación del bienestar, la mayoría de los indicadores no presentaron diferencias entre colores de capa excepto la glucosa en sangre que fue mayor en las ovejas blancas. Las ovejas Chamaritas son relativamente pequeñas comparadas con otras razas, y están bien adaptadas a su ambiente productivo. Sus caracteres productivos son razonables con un buen margen de mejoría, demostrando la importancia de su conservación.

Keywords

Chamarita ewescoat colourmorphologysocial interactionsstress responsebrebis Chamaritascouleur de robemorphologieréponse au stressinteractions socialesovejas Chamaritascolor de capamorfologíarespuesta de estrésinteracciones sociales
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 54 , June 2014 , pp. 179 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Álvarez, L. & Arruga, M.V. 2007. Caracterización de la oveja Chamarita mediante marcadores microsatélites. Estructura genética, genotipado del gen Scrapie y creación de un banco de ADN. Beca de estudios Arnedanos.Google Scholar
Apple, J.K., Dikeman, M.E., Minton, J.E., McMurphy, R.M., Fedde, M.R., Leith, D.E. & Unruh, J.A. 1995. Effects of restraint and isolation stress and epidural blockade on endocrine and blood metabolite status, muscle glycogen metabolism, and incidence of dark-cutting longissimus muscle of sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 7: 2295–2307.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balda, I., Chavarri, J.B. & Doménech, J.M. 1981. La oveja Chamarita I Jornadas Técnicas de ganado ovino en La Rioja-Logroño.Google Scholar
Barnett, J.L. & Hemsworth, P.H. 1990. The validity of physiological and behavioural measures of animal welfare. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 25: 177–187.Google Scholar
Barrio, A.R., Falceto, M.D. & Doménech, J.M. 1991. La raza Chamarita: Estudio etnológico y morfométrico. XVI Jornadas Científicas de la S.E.O.C.Google Scholar
Barroso, F.G., Alados, C.L. & Boza, J. 2000. Social hierarchy in the domestic goat: effect on food habits and production. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 69: 35–53.Google Scholar
Chacón, G., García-Belenguer, S., Illera, J.C. & Palacio, J. 2004. Validation of an EIA [enzyme immunoassay] technique for the determination of salivary cortisol in cattle. Span. J. Agric. Res. 2: 45–51.Google Scholar
Doménech, J.M., Barrio, A.R., Falceto, M.D. & González Jiménez, J.A. 1992. La oveja Chamarita. Serie Estudios no 25, Gobierno de La Rioja. Logroño, La Rioja, España.Google Scholar
European Commission. 1986. Scientific procedure and breeding of animals for use in scientific procedure establishments. Directive 86/609/ECC 1986.Google Scholar
Hargreaves, A.L. & Hutson, G.D. 1990. The effect of gentling on heart rate, flight distance and aversion of sheep to a handling procedure. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 26: 243–252.Google Scholar
Lawrence, A.B. & Rushen, J. 1993. Stereotypic animal behaviour: fundamental and application to welfare. UK, CAB International.Google Scholar
Miranda-de la Lama, G.C. & Mattiello, S. 2010. The importance of social behaviour for goat welfare in livestock farming. Small Rumin. Res. 90: 1–10.Google Scholar
Miranda-de la Lama, G.C., Sepúlveda, W.S., Montaldo, H.H., María, G.A. & Galindo, F. 2011. Social strategies associated with identity profiles in dairy goats. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 134: 48–55.Google Scholar
Orgeur, P., Mimouni, P. & Signoret, J.P. 1990. The influence of rearing conditions on the social relationships of young male goats, Capra hircus . Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 27: 105–113.Google Scholar
Statistical Analysis System Institute. 1998. SAS/STATS user's guide (Release 6.03). Cary, NC, SAS Institute.Google Scholar
Warren, J. 2011. Chamarito Lamb Promoted among Restaurant Owners and Butchers. http://www.foodsfromspain.com.Google Scholar