Annual shearing is essential for wool sheep but is stressful, and poor technique causes injuries with welfare implications across millions of sheep annually.
Fast-paced commercial shearing prioritizes throughput over animal welfare. Rough restraint causes fear and injury. Cuts from shears not checked promptly become infected. Shearing in cold weather without adequate shelter afterward causes hypothermia. The investigation footage of commercial shearing operations shows widespread rough handling that would not occur if animals were treated as individuals. Mulesing without pain relief causes acute pain and prolonged healing.