Sheep Shearing Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Sheep shearing is a necessary welfare procedure for domestic sheep, but shearing practices significantly affect sheep welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Domestic sheep are unable to shed their fleece naturally and require annual shearing to prevent welfare problems
Unshorn fleeces become dangerously heavy and can harbour parasites and cause heat stress
Shearing involves physical restraint that causes acute stress in sheep
Shearer skill significantly affects sheep injury rates and handling stress
Electroimmobilisation (stun guns) to restrain sheep during shearing is controversial from a welfare standpoint
UK shearing competitions select for speed but welfare-conscious shearing also considers technique
Post-shearing cold weather vulnerability in freshly shorn sheep is a significant welfare risk

Welfare Considerations

Shearing is a necessary welfare procedure but the manner of shearing significantly affects welfare outcomes. Skilled shearing with appropriate restraint minimises stress and injury. Rough handling, poor restraint and injuries from poorly maintained equipment cause avoidable suffering. The welfare case for good shearing technique and shearer training is strong. Post-shearing weather risk should be managed through timing and shelter provision.

What You Can Do

Choose lamb and wool products from farms demonstrating skilled shearing and welfare-conscious practices
Support shearer training programmes that include welfare alongside speed and technique
Advocate for welfare standards in shearing contracts and codes of practice
Time shearing appropriately for local weather conditions to prevent post-shearing cold stress