Relative aversion of sheep to simulated shearing with and without electro-immobilisation

Abstract

Merino wethers were repeatedly chased into a shearing shed, timed running down a race, and subjected to 1 of 3 treatments: simulated shearing (handled in the normal manner but no wool was removed), simulated shearing while restrained with an electro-immobiliser, or electro-immobilised. Compared with a control group, all 3 treatments resulted in a progressive decrease in the speed of running through the race, with the decrease being largest for the group subjected to simulated shearing while electro-immobilised. The use of the immobiliser also increased the time required to push the animals through the race. However, the time needed to chase the sheep into the shed was not affected by the treatment. It is concluded that the electro-immobiliser did not reduce the aversiveness of the sheep to shearing. The suggestion is made that incorporation of this device in automated shearing systems may result in a reduced sheep handling efficiency.