Some factors associated with the behaviour and survival of newly shorn sheep

Abstract

Sheep deaths in the 12-day period following shearing were related to a high rate of body weight loss during the 4 weeks before shearing. The body weight or body condition of sheep at shearing was unimportant. Mortality level was not influenced by the amount of herbage available after shearing although the grazing activities of the survivors increased. Mortality was associated with a massive infiltration of lipid into the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex.

The shorn sheep spent more time standing and less time grazing during the night. These results are discussed in relation to possible management practices to reduce sheep losses.