Dairy sheep farming is growing globally, particularly for specialty cheese production. Their welfare needs differ significantly from cattle and require sheep-specific management approaches.
Dairy sheep welfare shares challenges with dairy cattle but with sheep-specific dimensions. Early lamb separation causes acute distress vocalizations that persist for several days in both ewes and lambs. Foot health is the most important single welfare issue in sheep — wet conditions, poor hoof trimming management, and inadequate nutrition cause painful lameness that reduces feeding and welfare quality of life. Dairy breeds often have poorer natural disease resistance than traditional breeds. Housing for dairy sheep must provide adequate space, ventilation, and clean dry lying areas. Positive welfare indicators in sheep — affiliative social contact, relaxed ear position, exploratory behavior — are now being studied to complement traditional welfare assessment.