A note on the social behaviour of a flock of Merino and Wiltshire Horn sheep

Abstract

SUMMARY The behaviour of 12 Merino and 12 Wiltshire Horn ewes was observed on the day they werefirstintroduced together into a 0·85 ha paddock and over the following 9 days. Neither breed group had associated with sheep of the other group previously. Both groups formed and maintained their own strong social groupings, and despite the small area of pasture and enforced close association each day, no significant integration of the groups was observed.