Deaths of sheep after shearing

Abstract

A survey of deaths after shearing was made by means of a questionnaire, sent to a sample of woolgrowers during three years (1958-1960). About one-third of the recipients completed the questions on deaths and many less the other questions, but the estimate of deaths appeared to be based on a representative sample of Australian properties.Total deaths per annum averaged about 0.7% of sheep and lambs shorn and three-quarters were in the first 14 days after shearing. Percentage of deaths ranged from 0-36 but only 6% of the returns gave more than 2%. Most of the losses over 2% were in cold wind with rain. When a high mortality occurred in weather other than this, the sheep were usually in poor condition. Deaths after shearing were not related to the period of yarding without feed, which was usually 1-2 days.The bearing of this survey on the economics of prophylactic and therapeutic measures is discussed.