Use of shelter and selection of lambing sites by shorn and unshorn ewes in paddocks with closely or widely spaced shelters

Alexander, G.; Lynch, J J; Mottershead, B. E.

doi:10.1016/0304-3762(79)90007-5

Cited by 47 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Our index goat, and therefore presumably the herd, selected warmer microclimates at low environmental heat loads after shearing (Figure 8). These results concur with results obtained for shorn sheep, which sought shelter at night (Alexander et al, 1979;Mottershead et al, 1982), so reducing their heat loss (Done-Currie et al, 1984), more frequently than did unshorn sheep. During the heat of the day, our shorn goat, like sheep (MacFarlane et al, 1966), frequently sought shaded sites and thus reduced its exposure to environmental heat load to a greater degree when shorn than when unshorn.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Shearing at the end of summer affects body temperature of free-living Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) more than does shearing at the end of winter

Hetem

Witt

Fick

et al. 2009

Animal

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Angora goats are known to be vulnerable to cold stress, especially after shearing, but their thermoregulatory responses to shearing have not been measured. We recorded activity, and abdominal and subcutaneous temperatures, for 10 days pre-shearing and post-shearing, in 10 Angora goats inhabiting the succulent thicket of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, in both March (late summer) and September (late winter). Within each season, environmental conditions were similar pre-shearing and post-shearing, but September was an average 58C colder than March. Shearing resulted in a decreased mean ( P , 0.0001), minimum ( P , 0.0001) and maximum daily abdominal temperature ( P , 0.0001). Paradoxically, the decrease in daily mean ( P 5 0.03) and maximum ( P 5 0.01) abdominal temperatures, from pre-shearing to post-shearing, was greater in March than in September. Daily amplitude of body temperature rhythm ( P , 0.0001) and the maximum rate of abdominal temperature rise ( P , 0.0001) increased from preshearing to post-shearing, resulting in an earlier diurnal peak in abdominal temperature ( P 5 0.001) post-shearing. These changes in amplitude, rate of abdominal temperature rise and time of diurnal peak in abdominal temperature suggest that the goats' thermoregulatory system was more labile after shearing. Mean daily subcutaneous temperatures also decreased post-shearing ( P , 0.0001), despite our index goat selecting more stable microclimates after shearing in March ( P 5 0.03). Following shearing, there was an increased difference between abdominal and subcutaneous temperatures ( P , 0.0001) at night, suggesting that the goats used peripheral vasoconstriction to limit heat loss. In addition to these temperature changes, mean daily activity increased nearly two-fold after March shearing, but not September shearing. This increased activity after March shearing was likely the result of an increased foraging time, food intake and metabolic rate, as suggested by the increased water influx ( P 5 0.0008). Thus, Angora goats entered a heat conservation mode after shearing in both March and September. That the transition from the fleeced to the shorn state had greater thermoregulatory consequences in March than in September may provide a mechanistic explanation for Angora goats' vulnerability to cold in summer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Shearing at the end of summer affects body temperature of free-living Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) more than does shearing at the end of winter

Hetem

Witt

Fick

et al. 2009

Animal

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“…Woolly, adult sheep make little use of shelter in cold weather unless conditions are extreme (Munro 1962;Lynch 1968;Lynch & Alexander 1976;Alexander et al 1979). However, sheltering behaviour increases markedly when ewes are lambing (Hunter 1954;Winfield et al 1969;Lecrivain & Janeau 1987;Pollard 1999;Pollard et al 1999;Wassmuth et al 2001), even in Merino sheep (Lynch & Alexander 1976;Alexander et al 1979), although perhaps to a lesser extent in this breed (Stevens et al 1981).…”

Section: Sheltering Behaviour Of Ewes and Lambsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shearing results in an increase in sheltering behaviour and in Merinos has been shown to increase the number of ewes lambing in shelter (Lynch & Alexander 1976;Alexander et al 1979), but without a consistent effect on lamb survival . Pre-lamb shearing of ewes (with a standard comb or cover comb 3-5 weeks before lambing) in Wairarapa, New Zealand, did not improve lamb survival rates (Dabiri et al 1994(Dabiri et al ,1995.…”

Section: Sheltering Behaviour Of Ewes and Lambsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Once they are fully mobile, lambs seek shelter very readily (Lynch & Alexander 1976;Alexander et al 1979), particularly in wet, windy weather (Miller 1968). However, it is less certain whether newborn lambs seek shelter.…”

Section: Sheltering Behaviour Of Ewes and Lambsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, ewes and lambs prefer barriers with low wind permeability (Winfield et al 1969;Lynch & Alexander 1977;Alexander et al 1979;. The desirability of "close, snug" shelter for lambing was recognised by Brown (1958), who recommended Lawsons cypress (Cupressus lawsonii) trees and cautioned that untrimmed Cupressus macrocarpa or Pinus radiata trees could create dangerous draughts at the base of their trunks.…”

Section: Effective Design and Location Of Sheltermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shelter for lambing sheep in New Zealand: A review

Pollard

2006

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

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Wind and wet coats create dangerous conditions for lambs, even at moderate temperatures. Lambs compromised by factors such as birth injury and small size are particularly at risk. Wet, cold, windy weather added 38-76% to mortality rates in Australian Merino and Corriedale lambs, and in New Zealand lamb breeds added 10-20% (more in snow conditions). Wind shelter removed 3-13% from single lamb mortality rates and 14-37% from twin lamb mortality rates in Australian Merino and Corriedale sheep, but was not effective in reducing losses of twins in cold or wet weather. In New Zealand, wind shelter (such as Pinus radiata tree shelter belts) has generally removed less than 10% from mortality rates. Effective shelter would protect lambs from wind, rain, radiative and conductive heat loss, as well as allowing lambs exposure to the sun. Shelter should be familiar and well dispersed to encourage ewes to isolate from other sheep at lambing. Scattered dense shelter within paddocks such as tussocks or forage grasses or shrubs is very likely to increase lamb survival and possibly growth. Lamb covers also provide effective shelter but are labourintensive to use. The benefits and management of effective shelter require research so that farmers can be provided with the incentive and means to reduce their considerable losses of neonatal lambs.

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Contributions from a Land Down Under: The Arid Continent

Taylor

Maloney

et al. 2022

Thermal Physiology

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Use of shelter and selection of lambing sites by shorn and unshorn ewes in paddocks with closely or widely spaced shelters

Cited by 47 publications

References 6 publications

Shearing at the end of summer affects body temperature of free-living Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) more than does shearing at the end of winter

Shearing at the end of summer affects body temperature of free-living Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) more than does shearing at the end of winter

Shelter for lambing sheep in New Zealand: A review

Contributions from a Land Down Under: The Arid Continent

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