The effect of cold and the influence of shelter on the feed requirements of sheep

Abstract

Cold stress induced by mid winter shearing, can cause substantial liveweight losses in sheep. Increases in MR100 of 27-112% were elicited in shorn compared to woolly sheep, the extent of the increase depending on the year and the degree of exposure. In recently shorn sheep, housing can reduce the increase in MR by 20-23%. The measurement of liveweight change as an index of increased heat loss and feed requirement, was a better indicator of the total climatic effect in these trials, than was the measurement of plasma NEFA concentrations.