New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Shelter for lambing in southern New Zealand. II.
Sheltering behaviour and effects on productivity
J. C. POLLARD
R. P. LITTLEJOHN
AgResearch
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand
Abstract Sheltering behaviour of lambing sheep and effects of
shelter on productivity were investigated on West Otago and Southland farms in
September-October 1996. On six farms, unshorn twin-bearing ewes (mean = 185 per
farm) were set-stocked in 3-4, approximately 5-ha, exposed paddocks, subdivided
with an electric fence, with ewes stocked equally on each half. On one half of
each paddock, 63 straw bales were spread in four different designs. Farmers
recorded lamb removals, mortality, and numbers and weights at docking.
Sheltering behaviour was observed on two farms. Few deaths (1%) were
attributable to poor weather and no effects of shelter on productivity were
seen. Sheltering behaviour differed between farms. A significant proportion
(35-40%) of newborn lambs were observed within shelter. Least used shelters
were near roads, human activity, and paddock ends, and an X-shaped design was
used most of the four (P < 0.05). For a realistic estimation of
effects of shelter on productivity, research should cover several lambing
seasons.
Keywords New Zealand; lambing; productivity; sheep; shelter;
behaviour
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 171-177
0028-8233/99/4202-0171 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
1999
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (469K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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