Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Welfare at Shearing: Handling and Stress

Shearing is an essential husbandry practice for wool sheep but can cause stress and injury if performed poorly, making skilled handling critical.

Key Facts

Shearing stress includes physical restraint, noise, handling, and skin cuts
Professional shearers complete up to 200 or more sheep per day under time pressure
Cuts and nicks are common welfare concerns during high-speed shearing
Stress hormones (cortisol) rise significantly during shearing
Post-shearing cold stress is a welfare risk if sheep are turned out in cold wet weather

Welfare Considerations

Shearing must be performed carefully to minimise cuts and restraint stress. Lambs, pregnant ewes, and older sheep are particularly vulnerable. Good shearing technique, appropriate timing, and post-shearing shelter provision are key welfare safeguards.

What You Can Do

Support farm assurance schemes with shearing welfare standards
Advocate for shearing skills training programmes
Choose wool products from certified welfare-assured farms