Farm Animals

Sheep Copper Toxicity Welfare Risk

Copper toxicity is a serious and often fatal welfare condition in sheep, requiring careful nutritional management.

Key Facts

Sheep are highly susceptible to copper toxicity compared to other livestock species
Liver damage accumulates over time before acute haemolytic crisis occurs
Copper levels in compound feeds must be carefully checked for sheep-suitability
Cattle feeds are dangerously high in copper for sheep and must never be used

Welfare Considerations

Copper toxicity causes acute liver failure, haemolysis, kidney damage, and death, often preceded by weeks of liver accumulation with no visible signs. Prevention through appropriate nutrition is far more effective than treatment once crisis occurs.

What You Can Do

Never feed cattle or goat feeds containing elevated copper to sheep
Check compound feed copper levels carefully for all sheep
Seek veterinary advice on copper supplementation before treating deficiency