Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/8750
Title: GPS observation of shelter utilisation by Merino ewes
Contributor(s): Taylor, DB  (author); Schneider, Derek  (author)orcid ; Brown, Wendy  (author)orcid ; Price, Ian  (author); Trotter, Mark  (author); Lamb, David  (author); Hinch, Geoffrey  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1071/AN11025
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/8750
Abstract: The present study examined how shelter availability, altitude and temperature influence paddock utilisation by pregnant and lambing Merino ewes. Global positioning systems (GPS) attached to collars allowed continuous tracking of ewes' positions within two paddocks, and environmental conditions were also monitored throughout this time using temperature loggers. Animal tracking devices (UNEtracker GPS collars) were used in the spring (September-November) of 2008 (51 days) and 2009 (43 days), 14 days post-shearing, to monitor movement of pregnant grazing fine-wool Merino ewes (5 per paddock per year). The data were used to examine sheep use of lone trees, interior shelter, perimeter shelter and remainder of the paddock during three distinct diurnal activity periods, namely night camping, morning grazing and afternoon grazing. Regular use of shelter was consistently recorded in the two experimental years and in both paddocks. The ewes consistently used sheltered areas and both the leeward and windward sides of shelter, particularly during high sheep chill days. The sheep used the sheltered areas significantly more often than they used the remainder of the paddock, which was devoid of shelter except for lone trees. Night camping did not occur at the highest altitude, but predominantly where shelter was also located. The present study has demonstrated the consistent use of shelter by sheep. The shelter-seeking behaviour of the ewes a month post-shearing suggests that these animals are more sensitive to weather conditions than has been previously reported.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Animal Production Science, 51(8), p. 724-737
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1836-5787
1836-0939
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070104 Agricultural Spatial Analysis and Modelling
070203 Animal Management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830311 Sheep - Wool
830310 Sheep - Meat
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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