New Zealand Journal of Agriculture abstracts
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
PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality
(227K) | screen-quality (277K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
