Sheep dairy farming is growing globally for specialty cheese production, and the welfare of both ewes and their lambs depends on management practices that balance milk production with maternal needs.
Sheep dairy farming shares many of the welfare dynamics of dairy cattle farming in miniature: lambs are separated from their mothers to capture milk for human consumption, with associated distress for both ewe and lamb. Intensive dairy sheep farming also creates elevated mastitis risk, which causes significant pain. The welfare of dairy sheep is often less scrutinized than that of dairy cattle because sheep dairy is a niche sector, but the principles of good welfare apply equally. Welfare improvements include prolonged ewe-lamb contact, early disease detection and treatment for mastitis, adequate nutrition to support both milk production and ewe body condition, and proactive management of the difficult transition period after weaning.