Shearing is necessary for the welfare of domestic sheep that cannot shed their fleece naturally, but the process itself involves handling stress requiring welfare-conscious technique.
Sheep shearing welfare involves a genuine paradox: the process is necessary because domestic sheep cannot shed their fleece, yet the shearing process itself involves restraint stress. The welfare balance depends entirely on shearer skill - an experienced shearer working efficiently causes minimal stress and injury. The timing of shearing relative to weather and ewes reproductive stage matters significantly for the welfare of both ewes and lambs.