Proper nutrition is fundamental to sheep welfare, with deficiencies in key minerals and energy leading to painful and preventable conditions.
Nutritional diseases in sheep cause significant suffering that is largely preventable with proper management. Selenium and cobalt deficiencies produce debilitating conditions in lambs and adults alike. Pregnancy toxemia causes liver failure and death in late-gestating ewes who are often already carrying multiple fetuses. Regular body condition scoring, soil and pasture testing, and targeted supplementation programs reduce the incidence of these conditions substantially. Good nutrition is the foundation of positive welfare in sheep flocks.