Sheep farmed extensively face welfare challenges distinct from intensive systems. Lambing losses, internal parasites, and predator conflict cause significant suffering that improved management can reduce.
Extensive sheep farming creates welfare challenges that are difficult to observe and address across large areas. Neonatal lambs that become separated from their mothers in cold, wet conditions suffer and die from hypothermia and starvation. Lame sheep cannot graze effectively, leading to body condition decline, hunger, and secondary health problems — the welfare cost of footrot is enormous in affected flocks. Fly strike causes acute, severe pain as maggots digest living tissue; affected sheep show obvious distress but may be checked infrequently in extensive systems. Targeted selective treatment (TST) for parasites based on individual animal assessment reduces anthelmintic resistance while improving welfare by treating animals when they need it. Better stockmanship — more frequent flock observation, lambing shelter provision, and prompt treatment of health problems — is the most impactful intervention.