<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background: </strong>The difference in the maternal behavior expression of sheep can affect the early growth and development as well as the survival of lambs. The characteristics of maternal behavior in primiparous and multiparous ewes were observed to reveal the expression of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep and its effects on early lamb survival and body weight.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>In total 527 pregnant ewes with delivery were selected, including 246 primiparous ewes and 281 multiparous ewes. The observation record of maternal behavior began from 10 days before delivery to 3 days after delivery by video recording. The behaviors of ewe to the lamb included licking, suckling, seeking lambs, denial of suckling after delivery, butting and trampling lambs, abandoning lambs, and stealing lambs. Body weight of lambs were recorded including newborn, 7-day-old, 14-day-old and 35-day-old (weaning).<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> There were significant differences in the incidence rate in lamb abandonment and stealing between primiparous and multiparous ewes (P&lt;0.05), namely the primiparous ewe group had the higher incidence of undesirable behaviours. However, there were no significant differences in seeking, licking and trampling behaviors between two groups (P&gt;0.05). Lamb survival within 7 days after delivery of multiparous ewes was greater than primiparous ewes (P&lt;0.05). The body weights of newborn and 7-day-old lambs in the multiparous ewe group were significantly higher than the primiparous group (P&lt;0.05). This study demonstrates that limited significant differences exist between primiparous and multiparous ewes in several aspects of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep. Ewe behavioral expression associated with the birth and care of the neonatal lambs are essential for the survival and growth of the offspring.</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">The Expression of Maternal Behavior in Chinese Hu Sheep and its Effects on Lamb Survival and Body Weight</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> This study was designed to assess the effect of conflicts on yam production in Cross River State. The specific objectives of the study were to; identify the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, assess the effect of conflicts on yam production in the study area and ascertain the constraints faced by yam farmers in the study area.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique. Three blocks were selected from each of the three Agricultural zones in the state. Three cells were randomly selected from each of the blocks sampled, which gave a total of twenty-seven (27) cells. A total of 450 respondents were selected for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using percentage, mean and standard deviation.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The result of the analysis revealed that a good number of the respondents had formal education and were married (53.6%). It was equally observed that conflicts reduced yam availability (X̄=2.50) decreased productivity (X̄=2.78), displaced farmers (X̄=2.68), caused hunger and starvation (X̄=2.62) and reduced arable land (X̄=3.08). The study also noted that the following constraints affected yam production in the study area include insecurity among yam farmers and communities (X̄ = 278), high cost of labour (X̄ = 2.55), lack of funds (X = 2.58) and fear of unexpected conflicts (X̄ = 2.71) among many others. The study recommended that civil defence Corp should be posted to conflicts zones in the state to provide security to the farming communities during farming seasons. The study therefore concludes that government needs to provide compensations to yam farmers who abandoned their farms as a result of conflicts and these would encourage them to return home for their yam business enterprises.</div>


The Expression of Maternal Behavior in Chinese Hu Sheep and its Effects on Lamb Survival and Body Weight

Assessment of the Effect of Conflicts on Yam Production Farms in Cross River State, Nigeria