Farmed Animals

Sheep Welfare in UK Farming Systems

Sheep farming in the UK ranges from extensive hill systems to intensive lowland production, with welfare challenges varying by system and season.

Key Facts

UK sheep farming involves approximately 17 million breeding ewes across diverse systems
Lambing mortality averages 12-15% on commercial farms, with hypothermia the leading cause
Foot rot affects over 10% of UK sheep at any time, causing significant pain
Extensive hill systems allow natural grazing behavior but make welfare monitoring difficult

Welfare Considerations

Sheep welfare is complex because their prey-animal stoicism masks pain and illness particularly effectively. Lame sheep have reduced access to grazing and social participation. The high lamb mortality rate represents enormous suffering that is partly preventable through improved management at lambing time. Regular foot care and scoring systems can reduce lameness prevalence significantly.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farming systems with documented lameness monitoring and treatment
Advocate for mandatory lameness scoring in sheep certification schemes
Choose lamb from systems with lower lamb mortality rates through certification
Support research into practical early-warning systems for sheep health monitoring