Thermal imaging of lamb temperature to help boost survival
This animal science project aims to assess lamb body temperature using thermography as an indirect selection criterion for genetically improving its survival.
Thermography has been correlated with core and local body temperature of various animal species. It has been also used to estimate stress in pigs.
The effect of stress and core body temperature on lamb survival as estimated by thermography has not been attempted previously.
Key methodology: Thermography of newborn lambs using a digital thermal imaging camera, correlating it with more conventional recording of core temperature via a rectal thermometer.
Study production animal health
Forbes Brien offers honours projects in the general area of quantitative genetics and its application to livestock improvement programs. His current research focus is genetic improvement of lamb survival and reproductive performance.
Opportunities exist also in the areas of reproductive physiology and predictions of genetic gain in reproductive performance and lamb survival, disease and welfare traits in sheep.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Forbes Brien
Co-supervisor: Associate Professor Kiro Petrovski
Research area: Production animal health; ruminant science
Recommended honours enrolment: Honours in Animal Science