Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T15:02:08.527Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of jute coats on the heat losses of two breeds of sheep exposed to different environments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. J. F. Webster  and
C. Park
A. J. F. Webster
Affiliation:
The Hannah Dairy Research Institute, Ayr
C. Park
Affiliation:
The Hannah Dairy Research Institute, Ayr
Get access

Extract

Experiments were carried out to measure the effects of wearing jute coats on the heat production and external insulation of Blackface and Cheviot sheep during exposure to different types of cold environment. The results showed that wearing coats did not appreciably increase external insulation in cold conditions at wind speeds up to 10 mph when the fleece was dry. In cold, wet and windy conditions, wearing coats prevented moisture from penetrating the fleece of the sheep so that external insulation was 25–27 units when the sheep were wearing coats, but only 15–18 units when they were not.

It has been shown that few environments likely to occur in Britain constitute a cold stress for grazing sheep if their external insulation is above 25 units. Wind and rain reduced the external insulation of sheep with full winter fleeces below this value only when they were not wearing coats. It is concluded, therefore, that jute coats have a considerable value in ameliorating the effects of cold stresses of the type likely to be encountered by hill sheep wintered out of doors in the British Isles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 9 , Issue 4 , November 1967 , pp. 483 - 490
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1967

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Armstrong, D. G., Blaxter, K. L., Graham, N. McC., & Wainman, F. W., 1959. The effect of environmental conditions on food utilization by sheep. Anim. Prod., 1: 1–12.Google Scholar
Armstrong, D. G., Blaxter, K. L., Clapperton, J. L., Graham, N. McC., & Wainman, F. W., 1960. Heat production and heat emission of two breeds of sheep. J. agric. Sci., Camb., 55: 395–401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blaxter, K. L., 1964. The effect of outdoor climate in Scotland on sheep and cattle. Vet. Rec., 16: 1445–1455.Google Scholar
Blaxter, K. L., Clapperton, J. L., & Wainman, F. W., 1966. The extent of differences between six British breeds of sheep in their metabolism, feed intake and utilization and resistance to climatic stress. Br. J. Nutr., 20: 283–294.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brouwer, E., 1965. Report of subcommittee on constants and factors. Proc. 3rd Symposium Energy Metabolism. E.A.A.P. Publ. No. 11 (Edited K.L. Blaxter) London: Academic Press, p. 441.Google Scholar
Clarke, H. G., 1964. Coated sheep for more profit. Fmr. Stk. Breed, 08 4, p. 96.Google Scholar
Doney, J. M., 1963. The effects of exposure in Blackface sheep with particular reference to the role of the fleece. J. agric. Sci., Camb., 60: 267–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Joyce, J. P., & Blaxter, K. L., 1964a. Respiration in sheep in cold environments. Res. vet. Sci., 5: 506–516.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Joyce, J. P., & Blaxter, K. L., 1964b. The effect of air movement, air temperature and infra red radiation on the energy requirements of sheep. Br. J. Nutr., 18: 5–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mitchell, H. H., 1928. Livestock investigations 1927–1928. Ann. Rep. Univ. III. agric. Exp.Stn., p. 155.Google Scholar
Webster, A. J. F., 1966. The establishment of thermal equilibrium in sheep exposed to cold environments. Res. vet. Sci., 7: 454–465.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, A. J. F., & Blaxter, K. L., 1966. The thermal regulation of two breeds of sheep exposed to air temperatures below freezing point. Res. vet. Sci., 7: 466–479.CrossRefGoogle Scholar