Studies on lamb hypothermia using a model lamb

Abstract

A thermostatically controlled piece of equipment was developed which measured the rate of heat loss to the environment. The equipment was used to produce an equation which related ambient temperature, rainfall, windspeed, and light intensity (which was used as a measure of solar radiation) to heat loss from the model. In the future this equation could be used on a regional basis to help predict the risk of lamb hypothermia at lambing time according to the anticipated weather conditions. The model was also used for assessing the saving in heat loss provided by a commercially available insulating cover, and by a tree shelterbelt.

Keywords:

• hypothermia
• lamb
• shelter
• weather
• insulation