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A note on the protection provided by the hair coat or fleece of the animal against the thermal effects of simulated rain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

C. W. Holmes
Affiliation:
Dairy Husbandry Department, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Abstract

The rate of heat transfer from a model animal, covered with one of three animal pelts, was measured when the pelts were dry and when they were exposed to a fine spray of water. Wetting of the pelts increased heat transfer by 192, 114 and 15W/m2 respectively for the hairless skin, the skin with calf's hair coat (5 to 10 mm) and the skin with the lamb's fleece (60 mm). These results demonstrate the considerable protection against the thermal effects of wetting which is provided by animal coats, particularly if these are relatively deep.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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