Farmed Animals

Environmental Enrichment for Sheep

Providing appropriate environmental enrichment for sheep improves welfare by enabling natural behaviour and promoting positive states.

Key Facts

Sheep are curious and exploratory animals that benefit from varied environments
Providing novel objects reduces fear responses in sheep
Foraging enrichment including browse and varied vegetation reduces boredom
Shelter provision in outdoor systems reduces cold and heat stress
Positive human contact through stroking reduces fearfulness in sheep

Welfare Considerations

Sheep welfare science increasingly recognises the importance of enrichment in supporting positive welfare states. Novel objects, browse provision, and varied terrain enable exploratory behaviour and foraging. Positive human contact through gentle handling reduces fearfulness and improves the human-animal relationship, benefiting both welfare and ease of management. Enrichment is achievable in both housed and outdoor systems.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that include enrichment requirements for sheep
Advocate for browse and foraging enrichment in sheep housing systems
Raise awareness about sheep welfare beyond basic health and nutrition needs
Support research into effective enrichment approaches for sheep welfare
Encourage positive human-sheep interaction as a welfare improvement strategy