Spatio-temporal monitoring of sheep to investigate shelter and shade use

Abstract

In Australia inclement weather contributes to losses of new-born lambs and recently shorn sheep. Provision of forced shelter has been observed to reduce lamb losses by up to 10 percent and when given a choice, ewes preferentially seek shelter on offer, but for a limited period of around two weeks post shearing (Alexander et al. 1980). Given significant sheep losses can occur during adverse weather conditions a better understanding of sheep use of shelter and/or alternative ways of attracting sheep to shelter are needed.