Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Respiratory Disease and Housing Management

Respiratory disease in housed sheep causes significant welfare harm, with housing design and ventilation being key preventive factors.

Key Facts

Mannheimia haemolytica is the primary bacterial cause of sheep respiratory disease
Housing sheep at high density in poorly ventilated buildings increases respiratory disease incidence
Stress from mixing, transport and weather challenges predisposes sheep to infection
Pasteurella vaccination reduces disease incidence in high-risk housed sheep
Early clinical recognition and antibiotic treatment reduces severity and mortality

Welfare Considerations

Sheep respiratory disease causes significant suffering through breathing difficulty, fever and debilitation. Well-designed housing with adequate ventilation and stocking density is the most effective prevention. Respiratory illness detected early responds to treatment, but late detection leads to prolonged suffering.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farms with documented housing welfare standards and ventilation requirements
Advocate for veterinary training in sheep respiratory disease recognition
Choose certified sheep products with documented respiratory health management