Dairy sheep are farmed for milk used in cheese and yogurt production. Their welfare needs around milking, lamb separation, and housing are frequently overlooked compared to dairy cattle.
Dairy sheep welfare has received less scientific attention than dairy cattle despite significant parallels. The early separation of lambs causes acute grief responses in ewes and lambs — prolonged vocalisation and searching behaviour lasting days. High milk yields place metabolic demands that compromise body condition if nutrition management is inadequate. Mastitis is painful and common. Welfare-centred dairy sheep management includes appropriate nutrition to support lactation without depleting body reserves, prompt mastitis detection and treatment, social housing that allows normal flock dynamics, and honest assessment of whether early lamb separation is truly necessary for the production system in question.