Farmed Sheep Shearing Welfare and Best Practice

Sheep must be shorn annually to prevent welfare problems from excess wool growth. The welfare during shearing depends heavily on shearer skill, sheep handling and environmental conditions.

Key Facts

Merino and many domestic breeds grow wool continuously and cannot self-shed
Unshorn sheep develop conditions including fleece rot, flystrike vulnerability and mobility problems
Shearing is stressful - handling, restraint and the experience of shearing cause measurable cortisol elevation
Skilled shearers working quickly and carefully minimise the duration of stress and risk of injury
Cuts from the handpiece cause acute pain and infection risk
Shearing outside during cold or wet conditions causes hypothermia in freshly-shorn sheep
Veterinary attention to skin cuts during shearing is rarely sought despite causing pain

Welfare Considerations

Shearing welfare is determined primarily by shearer competency and handling quality. A skilled shearer who works quickly, handles the sheep with confidence and avoids unnecessary cuts minimises the duration and intensity of the stressor. Poor shearing technique causes cuts, bruising and prolonged handling that extend the welfare cost significantly. Environmental conditions at shearing also matter: freshly shorn sheep are vulnerable to cold and must have access to shelter, particularly if shearing occurs in spring before reliably warm weather. The routine nature of shearing should not normalise inadequate attention to welfare during the process.

What You Can Do

Support farms that use skilled, registered shearers with demonstrable welfare practice
Provide shelter access immediately after shearing to prevent cold stress in exposed conditions
Advocate for shearer training programmes that include welfare handling techniques
Ensure any cuts from shearing receive appropriate wound care
Support research into shearing techniques and alternatives that reduce handling time and stress