Mating behaviour of ram on exposure to estrous ewes

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study the pattern of rams' mating behaviour and its preference
for ewe when exposed to multiple estrous ewes. Four rams and four estrous ewes were used for the
study. Ewes were shorn and brought to estrus artificially. Different mating activities were noted during
one hour mating session. The number of times ewe mated and time spent by ram with ewe were also
noted to check the order of preference among the available ewes. Courtship activities were found low
with subsequent ejaculation. Depending upon percentage of mounting sessions, number of mounts
per session, number of matings per session and time spent by ram with each ewe; the ewes were
ranked I, II, III & IV by allotting marks to each parameter. Ewes A, B, C & D ranked I, II, IV & Ill
indicating the preferential mating by the ram among available ewes. It was observed that number of
ewes mated per session varied and ram's preference was based on number of times the ewe served and
varied from estrus to estrus of the same ewe. It was concluded that preferential mating of rams was
found among available estrous ewes, which led to uneven distribution of mating. The number of mounts per hour and ejaculation per hour increased when ewe number in the mating pen increased.