Sheep housed indoors during winter require careful management to maintain welfare in confined conditions.
Indoor sheep welfare depends critically on ventilation, space allowance, and hygiene. Sheep are highly susceptible to respiratory disease from ammonia accumulation in poorly ventilated housing. Inadequate space causes competition for resources and prevents normal flock social dynamics. Lambing in housing provides supervision and warmth but requires excellent biosecurity. The welfare of housed sheep is determined by the quality of management decisions around these key risk factors.