Feedlot finishing of sheep in arid regions concentrates animals in confined spaces with significant welfare implications. Understanding key risks helps identify priority improvements.
Feedlot sheep face a cluster of welfare harms arising from the combination of confinement, diet, and environmental conditions. Acidosis from rapid dietary transition to grain is preventable through gradual adaptation but requires careful management. Heat stress in poorly designed pens without adequate shade causes suffering and elevated mortality. The social disruption of mixing unfamiliar sheep creates aggression and stress. Welfare improvements include shade provision, appropriate pen surfaces, gradual dietary transition, and social group stability. Live sheep export to distant feedlots adds transport stress and places animals in conditions that may be substantially below welfare standards in countries of origin.