Sheep Shearing Welfare Standards

Sheep shearing is a necessary welfare intervention for wool breeds but the process can cause distress and injury when done poorly. Good practice minimises harm.

Key Facts

Domestic wool breeds require annual shearing as their wool grows continuously without shedding
Unsheared sheep in summer risk hyperthermia, flystrike, and physical discomfort from fleece weight
Power shearing performed by trained shearers takes 2-5 minutes per sheep with minimal stress
Research shows shearing causes acute but brief cortisol elevation that returns to baseline within an hour
Untrained shearing causes cuts, rough handling, and prolonged restraint that significantly worsen outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Shearing represents a genuine welfare benefit for wool breeds that would suffer without it, but the process must be performed with skill and care. Fast, confident shearing by a trained operator minimises handling time and associated stress. Cuts require prompt treatment to prevent infection. Freshly shorn sheep need shelter access in cold weather. Selecting shearers based on skills rather than cost and avoiding rushed large-scale shearing operations that increase individual sheep stress are key welfare considerations.

What You Can Do

Use only trained and competent shearers for your sheep
Ensure access to shelter and dry conditions for newly shorn sheep especially in cold weather
Check shorn sheep for cuts and treat promptly with appropriate wound spray
Time shearing to avoid periods of extreme cold or wet where possible
Choose wool products as an animal-derived material that when produced well has lower welfare impact than synthetic alternatives