Castration of male lambs is routine in many sheep production systems but causes significant pain. Modern welfare standards increasingly require effective analgesia.
Lamb castration represents a major welfare challenge in sheep farming. Rubber ring application causes prolonged pain through ischaemic necrosis, and untreated lambs show clear behavioural signs of suffering. Local anaesthetic and NSAID analgesia (meloxicam or ketoprofen) significantly reduce pain responses and are increasingly required under welfare assurance schemes. However, cost and administration complexity mean many lambs still receive inadequate pain relief. Alternatives such as immunocastration offer potential welfare improvements.