Lamb weights and behaviour were recorded before and after
separation. Lambs weaned at week 6 were heavier and had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG)
until week 16 compared to lambs weaned at week 12. However, neither the traditional nor the two-stage
weaning affected body weight and ADG at week 16. Bleat frequencies were greater in traditional method
at age of 6 week compared to traditional method at an age of 12 week, two-stage method at an age of
6 week or 12 week (P < 0.05). Lambs weaned using the two-stage method had lower (P < 0.05) agitation
scores compared to traditionally weaned animals. We concluded that the two-stage weaning resulted in
less distress than the traditional one-stage weaning, however ADG up to 16 week of age was not affected
by weaning method