Seasonal fleece changes in some Cheviot sheep

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo groups of five and six ewes were studied through two separate winters by monthly wool and skin samples in an attempt to follow the changes leading up to fleece casting, which occurred extensively in only two animals.Although no fleece break was observed, the animals that cast most showed the biggest decrease in fibre diameter. They also had a decrease in staple length where the wool was not cast.Follicle inactivity increased during the observations reaching a peak at the end of the winter, and the animals that cast most had most follicle inactivity. It is concluded that casting was associated not with fleece break but with increased follicle inactivity coupled with premature release of the fibres from the follicles.