Using computerised tomography to assess pelvic dimensions linked to dystocia and maternal behaviour score in Scottish-Blackface ewes

Abstract

Recent CAP reforms for the sheep sector are likely to partially shift the emphasis from intensive to lower input, ‘easy care’ husbandry systems. The ability of sheep to lamb unaided would be crucial to the success of these systems. Dystocia is the most common cause of parturient lamb mortality, and pelvic dimensions are important factors in causing dystocia in ewes (Quinlivan, 1971). This study uses pelvimetry, based on both external and in vivo measures obtained by computed tomography (CT), to undertake preliminary studies on the associations among the incidence of dystocia, and other factors including maternal behaviour score (MBS) (Lambe et al., 2001).