Shelter for lambing sheep in New Zealand: A review

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

Volumn 49, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 395-404

  Pollard, J C ^a,b  

^a INVERMAY AGRICULTURAL CENTRE   (New Zealand)

^b NONE   (New Zealand)

Author keywords

Cold; Lambs; Neonatal survival; Rain; Shelter; Wind

Indexed keywords

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR; LIVESTOCK FARMING; MANAGEMENT PRACTICE; MORTALITY; NEONATE; RAINFALL; SHEEP; SHELTERBELT; WIND STRESS;

AUSTRALASIA; NEW ZEALAND;

OVIS; OVIS ARIES; PINUS RADIATA; POACEAE;

EID: 33846373037     PISSN: 00288233     EISSN: 11758775     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00288233.2006.9513730     Document Type: Review

References (84)

1. Alexander, G. 1958. Heat production of newborn lambs in relation to type of birthcoat. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production, 2:10–14.
2. Alexander, G. 1962a. Temperature regulation in the newborn lamb IV. The effect of wind and evaporation of water from the coat on metabolic rate and body temperature. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 13:82–99.
3. Alexander, G. 1962b. Temperature regulation in the newborn lamb. V. Summit metabolism. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 13:100–121.
4. Alexander, G. 1962c. Energy metabolism in the starved newborn lamb. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 13:144–164.
5. Alexander, G. 1985. “ Physiological and behavioural factors affecting lamb survival under pastoral conditions ”. In Agriculture:factors affecting the survival of newborn lambs, Edited by:Alexander, G, Barker, JD, and Slee, J. 99–114. Luxembourg:Commission of the European Communities.
6. Alexander, G, and Williams, D. 1966a. Teat seeking activity in new-born lambs:The effect of cold. Journal of Agricultural Science Cambridge, 67:181–189.
7. Alexander, G, and Williams, D. 1966b. Teat-seeking activity of lambs during the first hours of life. Animal Behaviour, 14:166–176.
8. Alexander, G, Lynch, JJ, and Mottershead, BE. 1979. Use of shelter and selection of lambing sites by shorn and unshorn ewes in paddocks with closely or widely spaced shelters. Applied Animal Ethology, 5:51–69.
9. Alexander, G, Lynch, JJ, Mottershead, BE, and Donelly, JB. 1980. Reduction in lamb mortality by means of grass wind-breaks:results of a five-year study. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production, 13:329–332.
10. Alexander, G, Stevens, D, and Mottershead, B. 1983. Problems in the accurate recording of lambing data. Australian Journal of Experimental Animal Husbandry, 23:361–368.
11. Alexander, G, Kilgour, R, Stevens, D, and Bradley, LR. 1984. The effect of experience on twin-care in New Zealand Romney sheep. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 12:363–372.
12. Alexander, G, Stevens, D, and Bradley, LR. 1990. Distribution of field birth sites of lambing ewes. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 30:759–767.
13. Ames, DR, and Brink, DR. 1977. Effect of temperature on lamb performance and protein efficiency ratio. Journal of Animal Science, 44:136–140.
14. Andrews, JF, and Mercer, JB. 1985. “ Thermoregulation in the newborn lamb:the first 36 hours ”. In Agriculture:factors affecting the survival of newborn lambs, Edited by:Alexander, G, Barker, GD, and Slee, J. 11–20. Luxembourg:Commission of the European Communities.
15. Arnold, GW, and Dudzinski, ML. 1978. “ Ethology of free-ranging domestic animals ”. In Developments in Veterinary Sciences 2, 198Amsterdam:Elsevier.
16. Arnold, GW, and Morgan, PD. 1975. Behaviour of the ewe and lamb at lambing and its relationship to lamb mortality. Applied Animal Ethology, 2:25–46.
17. Bailey, K. Experiences of cold stress in sheep. Proceedings of the 23rd Sheep and Beef Cattle Seminar. Vol. 150, pp. 87–97. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication, Massey University.
18. Bareham, JR. 1976. The behaviour of lambs on the first day after birth. British Journal of Nutrition, 132:152–161.
19. Bird, PR, Lynch, JJ, and Obst, JM. 1984. Effect of shelter on plant and animal production. Animal Production in Australia, 15:270–273.
20. Bray, AR, and Wodzicka-Thomaszewska, M. 1974. Prenatal behaviour and progesterone and corticosteroid levels in sheep. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production, 10:318–321.
21. Brown, CH. 1958. Farm shelter for exposed rolling country of Otago. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association, 20:80–87.
22. Charles, D. 1991. Physiological requirements for shelter engineering. Farm Buildings and Engineering, 8:13–16.
23. Cresswell, E, and Thomson, W. 1964. An introductory study of air flow and temperature at grazing-sheep heights. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 32:131–135.
24. Cresswell, E, Thompson, W, and Gill, JC. 1964. The effect of shelter and of tallow dressing of the fleece on fattening Scottish Blackface lambs. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 32:51–54.
25. Dabiri, N, Parker, WJ, Morris, ST, and McCutcheon, SN. 1994. Effects of pre-lamb and conventional full-wool shearing on the productivity of ewes. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 54:223–226.
26. Dabiri, N, Morris, ST, Parker, WJ, McCutcheon, SN, and Wick-ham, GA. 1995. Productivity and cold resistance in ewes pre-lamb shorn by standard or cover comb. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 46:721–732.
27. Deans, HH. 1973. Shelter plantations for sheep. Farm Forestry, 15:27–29.
28. Donnelly, JR. 1984. The productivity ofbreeding ewes grazing on lucerne or grass and clover pastures on the Tablelands of Southern Australia. III. Lamb mortality and weaning percentage. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 35:709–721.
29. Duff, XJ. 1985. An investigation of perinatal mortality in a flock of Romney ewes in the Wairarapa district of New Zealand, Riverside Farm Publication 4 40Palmerston North:Massey University.
30. Epke, ED, and Christopherson, RJ. 2000. Metabolic and endocrine responses to cold and feed restriction in ruminants. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 80:87–95.
31. Gatenby, RM. 1977. Conduction of heat from sheep to the ground. Agricultural Meteorology, 18:387–400.
32. Gregory, NG. 1995. The role of shelterbelts in protecting livestock:a review. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 38:423–450.
33. Gregory, NG, Haslett, SJ, and Pedeley, JC. 1999. Studies on lamb hypothermia using a model lamb. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 42:179–185.
34. Gumbrell, RC, and Saville, DJ. 1986. Perinatal losses on a group of commercial sheep farms in Central Canterbury. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 46:263
35. Hamadeh, SK, Hatfield, PG, Kott, RW, Sowell, BF, Robinson, BL, and Roth, N. 2000. Effects of breed, sex, birth type and colostrum intake on cold tolerance in newborn lambs. Sheep & Goat Research Journal, 16:46–51.
36. Hecker, JF. 1983. The sheep as an experimental animal, 216London:Academic Press.
37. Holmes, CW, and Sykes, AR. 1984. Shelter and climatic effects on livestock. Water and Soil Miscellaneous Publication, 59:19–35.
38. Hunter, RF. 1954. Some notes on the behaviour of hill sheep. British Journal of Animal Behaviour, 2:75–78.
39. King, M, and Sturrock, JW. 1984. Shelter and the hill country environment. Water and Soil Miscellaneous Publication, 59:37–52.
40. Knight, TW, Lynch, PR, Hall, DRH, and Hockey, HUP. 1988. Identification of factors contributing to the improved lamb survival in Marshall Romney sheep. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 31:259–271.
41. Lecrivain, E, and Janeau, G. 1987. Isolation and shelter seeking behaviour patterns of ewes lambing in large and shrubby paddocks. Biology of Behaviour, 12:127–148.
42. Lynch, JJ. 1968. Sheltering behaviour of newly shorn sheep. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia, 3:120–124.
43. Lynch, JJ, and Alexander, G. 1976. The effect of gramineous windbreaks on behaviour and lamb mortality among shorn and unshorn Merino sheep during lambing. Applied Animal Ethology, 2:305–325.
44. Lynch, JJ, and Alexander, G. 1977. Sheltering behaviour of lambing Merino sheep in relation to grass hedges and artificial windbreaks. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 28:691–701.
45. Lynch, JJ, and Alexander, G. 1980. Selection of shelter by Merino sheep. Reviews in Rural Science, IV:119–121.
46. Lynch, JJ, and Donelly, JB. 1980. Changes in pasture and animal production resulting from use of windbreaks. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 31:967–979.
47. Lynch, JJ, Mottershead, BE, and Alexander, G. 1980. Sheltering behaviour and lamb mortality amongst shorn Merino ewes lambing in paddocks with a restricted area ofshelter or no shelter. Applied Animal Ethology, 6:163–174.
48. McBride, G, Arnold, GW, Alexander, G, and Lynch, JJ. 1967. Ecological aspects of the behaviour of domestic animals. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia, 2:133–165.
49. McBride, GE, and Christopherson, RJ. 1984. Effects of cold exposure on young growing lambs. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 64:403–410.
50. McCutcheon, SN, Holmes, CW, McDonald, MF, and Rae, AL. 1983. Resistance to cold stress in the newborn lamb 1. Responses of Romney, Drysdale × Rom-ney, and Merino lambs to components of the thermal environment. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 26:169–174.
51. Mellor, DJ, and Stafford, KJ. 2004. Animal welfare implications of neonatal mortality and morbidity in farm animals. The Veterinary Journal, 168:118–133.
52. Miller, GR. 1968. Some responses of hill ewes and lambs to artificial shelter. Animal Production, 10:59–66.
53. Moss, RA. 1982. Effect ofshelter on lamb mortality, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Research Division Annual Report 1981/1982 184
54. Moss, RA, and Burton, RN. 1982. Ewe management and lamb mortality, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Research Division Annual Report 1981/1982 184
55. Mottershead, BE, Alexander, G, and Lynch, JJ. 1982. Sheltering behaviour of shorn and unshorn sheep in mixed or separate flocks. Applied Animal Ethology, 8:127–136.
56. Munro, J. 1962. The use of natural shelter by hill sheep. Animal Production, 4:343–349.
57. Obst, JM, and Day, HR. 1968. The effect of inclement weather on mortality of Merino and Corriedale lambs on Kangaroo Island. Australian Journal of the Society of Animal Production, 7:239–242.
58. Obst, JM, and Ellis, JV. 1977. Weather, ewe behaviour and lamb mortality. Agricultural Record, 4:44–49.
59. Palmer, H, Gardner, B, Hislop, M, and Buttery, N. 2003. Trees for shelter—basic principles revisited. New Zealand Tree Grower, February:38–40. 2003
60. Percival, NS, Hawke, MF, Jagusch, KT, Korte, CJ, and Gilling-ham, AG. 1986. Review of factors affecting animal performance in pine agroforestry. FRI Bulletin, 139:165–174.
61. Poindron, P, and Le Neindre, P. 1980. “ Endocrine and sensory regulation of maternal behaviour in the ewe ”. In Advances in the study of behaviour II, Edited by:Rosenblatt, JS, Hinde, R, Beer, C, and Busnel, MC. 75–119. New York:Academic Press.
62. Pollard, JC. 1999. Shelter benefits for lamb survival in southern New Zealand. I. Postal survey of farmers’ opinion. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 42:165–170.
63. Pollard, JC, and Littlejohn, RP. 1999. Shelter for lambing in southern New Zealand. II. Sheltering behaviour and effects on productivity. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 42:171–177.
64. Pollard, JC, Shaw, KJ, and Littlejohn, RP. 1999. Anote on sheltering behaviour before and after lambing. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 61:313–318.
65. Pollard, JC, Wills, BJ, Stevens, DR, Wass, JA, and Harris, MJ. 2004. Shelter for lambing, Client Report. MAF-Policy Project FMA 116 58
66. Putu, IG, Poindron, P, and Lindsay, DR. 1988. Ahigh level of nutrition during late pregnancy improves subsequent maternal behaviour of Merino ewes. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production, 17:294–297.
67. Randall, GCB. 1978. Perinatal mortality:some problems of adaptation at birth. Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine, 22:53–81.
68. Sargison, ND. Lamb mortality—conception to weaning. Proceedings of the 27th Seminar, Society of Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians. Vol. 175, pp. 77–89. New Zealand Veterinary Association.
69. Scales, GH. 1994. Snowfall risk management, 1992 snows. A survey of management practices used by Canterbury farmers to minimise the impact of snows, MAF Policy Technical Paper 94/11 52
70. Slee, J, and Springbett, A. 1986. Early post-natal behaviour in lambs of ten breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 15:229–240.
71. Smail, P. 1997. Shelter required to increase production. New Zealand Tree Grower, November:4–5. 1997
72. Starr, JR. 1981. Weather and lamb mortality in a commercial lowland sheep flock. Agricultural Meteorology, 24:237–252.
73. Stevens, D, Alexander, G, and Lynch, JJ. 1981. Do Merino ewes seek isolation or shelter at lambing?. Applied Animal Ethology, 7:149–155.
74. Sykes, AR. 1982. The shelter requirements of the new-born lamb. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 42:7–11.
75. Sykes, AR, Griffiths, RG, and Slee, J. 1976. Influence of breed, birth weight and weather on the body temperature of new-born lambs. Animal Production, 27:43–49.
76. Tarbotton, IS, and Webby, RW. 1999. Variation in lamb survival within farm and between farms:results from farmer studies. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for Animal Production, 59:73–75.
77. Thompson, GE. 1983. The intake of milk by suckled, newborn lambs and the effects of twinning and cold exposure. British Journal of Nutrition, 50:151–156.
78. Vermorel, M, and Vernet, J. 1985. “ Major factors affecting ther-mogenesis and cold resistance of newborn lambs ”. In Agriculture:factors affecting the survival of newborn lambs, Edited by:Alexander, G, Barker, JD, and Slee, J. 35–47. Luxembourg:Commission of the European Communities.
79. Vince, MA, and Billing, AE. 1986. “ Infancy in the sheep:the part played by sensory stimulation in bonding between the ewe and lamb ”. In Advances in infancy research 4, Edited by:Lipsitt, LP, and Roree-Collier, C. 1–37. New Jersey:Ablex Publishing Corporation.
80. Wallace, N, and Conway, G. 2003. Storm too late to disrupt lambing. Otago Daily Times, 6 October:13 2003
81. Wassmuth, R, Lóer, A, and Langholz, H-J. 2001. Vigour of lambs newly born to outdoor wintering ewes. Animal Science, 72:169–178.
82. Webster, AJ. 1996. Heat exchanges and energy balances of grazing animals. Scottish Forestry, 51:218–221.
83. Welch, RAS, and Kilgour, R. 1970. Mismothering among Romneys. New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, 121:26–27.
84. Winfield, CJ, Brown, W, and Lucas, IAM. 1969. Sheltering behaviour at lambing by Welsh Mountain ewes. Animal Production, 11:101–105.