Shearing is necessary for domestic sheep but the process, equipment, and stockmanship involved have significant implications for sheep welfare that vary widely across the industry.
Shearing welfare depends almost entirely on stockmanship, technique, and timing. Skilled shearers using correct sheep positioning and blade handling minimise both physical injury and psychological stress. Untrained shearers or inappropriate equipment can cause multiple nicks, prolonged struggling, and significant distress. Timing shearing correctly to avoid cold snaps, providing adequate shelter after shearing, and ensuring sheep are not sheared too close to lambing are all important welfare considerations. Investigating non-mulesed and reduced-shearing options through breed selection is also a growing area of welfare improvement.