Outcome-based welfare indicators measured directly on sheep — including lameness, body condition, fleece condition, and facial eczema — provide more meaningful welfare assessments than housing specifications alone.
Sheep welfare is historically underassessed and undertreated compared to cattle and pigs. The stoic nature of sheep — a prey species that conceals signs of weakness — means welfare problems including lameness and chronic pain are frequently overlooked until severe. Outcome-based assessment tools provide a systematic way to identify welfare problems that might otherwise go undetected. Regular flock-level lameness scoring, ewe body condition monitoring, and mortality recording enable farmers to identify trends and intervene before welfare problems become severe. Farms with consistently high lameness or mortality rates should be required to implement action plans through assurance scheme requirements.