New Zealand Journal of Agriculture abstracts

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Shelter for lambing sheep in New Zealand: a review

J. C. Pollard^*

AgResearch
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel 9053
Dunedin, New Zealand

^*Present address: 6 Railway Lane, RD 2, Outram, Mosgiel 9092, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Abstract 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 labour-intensive 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.

Keywords lambs; neonatal survival; shelter; wind; rain; cold

A06019; Online publication date 26 September 2006. Received 12 April 2006; accepted 25 July 2006
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2006, Vol. 49: 395–404
0028–8233/06/4904–0395  © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2006

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