The flexible grouping and behavioral character of a flock of Suffolk ewes (Ovis aries)

Abstract

The spatial patterning and grouping behavior of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) under ranch management was studied. Activity was highly synchronized among flock members and was often initiated by several individuals, but no specific individual was always responsible. In the pasture, they were not randomly dispersed, but stayed together, and individuals did not develop specific favorite areas. They usually split into several groups. The size and composition of the group was very flexible and changed often. The group did not have fixed members, although there seemed to be certain partiality for an individual's association. In certain situations, the sheep sometimes formed a large flock composed of most members. They showed 2 types of flock formation: splitting into small groups, and assembling into one large group. They changed immediately from one formation type to another, without any particular individual's initiation. They seemed to have preference for association partners in a flock, but this was not found to be a determinant factor of subgroup composition. Furthermore a large group is not formed from the association of other stable subgroups. They seemed to be attracted by co-existence or the “flock” itself, rather than association with preferred individuals.