Comparative Activity and Social Behavior Study of Chios and Karagouniki Dairy Sheep Breeds Under Intensive Farming

Sheep farming is a major livestock sector supporting rural economies and social cohesion. Alongside management practices, breed plays an important role in shaping adaptability. In recent years, animal behavior has gained prominence as an indicator of welfare and a tool for improving sheep management. Sheep display a wide range of social interactions; however, most behavioral studies have focused on free‑ranging populations, leaving limited knowledge about behavior under intensive systems. This study evaluated the activity and social behavior of two dairy breeds, Chios and Karagouniki. Two groups of ewes at the same production stage (Chios: n=24; Karagouniki: n=15) were monitored daily using video recording. Behavioral data were analyzed to quantify activity patterns and social interactions within each group. Most activity behaviors did not differ significantly between breeds, except for standing and lying, which occurred more frequently (p<0.05) in Karagouniki ewes. Also, Chios ewes both initiated and received more affiliative behaviors and initiated more agonistic behaviors (p<0.05). However, Social Index and Average Dominance Index values did not differ between breeds. These findings contribute to understanding sheep behavior in intensive farming environments.