Academic Research Papers

Microclimate Drives Shelter-Seeking Behaviour in Lambing Ewes


Published
2022-12-05

Authors: Jack Atkin-Willoughby, Sam Hollick, Charlotte E. Pritchard, A. Prysor Williams, Peers L. Davies, Dewi Jones, Andrew R. Smith

Keywords: silvopasture; sustainable agriculture; livestock welfare; exposure; production

Abstract


Silvopastoral agroforestry and the strategic placement of trees and hedgerows offers potential to improve livestock welfare and production efficiency through the provision of shelter in livestock farming systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between shelter-seeking behaviour of ewes during the lambing period and the microclimate influenced by landscape shelter features. Artificial and natural shelter was …