Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Sheep: Housing Welfare Standards

Housing sheep during winter or lambing requires attention to space, ventilation, and enrichment to maintain welfare in confined conditions.

Key Facts

Space allowances for housed sheep should provide 1.5-2.0 square metres per ewe minimum
Poor ventilation causes respiratory disease that is a significant welfare problem in housed flocks
Sheep are prey animals that show significant stress in overcrowded, noisy environments
Adequate roughage provision maintains rumen health and natural feeding behaviour
Enriched environments with browsing materials reduce boredom in long-housed periods

Welfare Considerations

Housing provides welfare protection from winter weather but creates welfare challenges through space restriction, social density, and inability to express natural ranging behaviour. Meeting minimum space standards, providing excellent ventilation without draughts, and offering appropriate forage maintains welfare within the constraints of housing. Extended housing periods increase welfare risk and should be minimised where possible.

What You Can Do

Provide adequate space allowances for all housed sheep
Ensure housing has good natural ventilation without cold draughts at sheep level
Provide adequate roughage including hay or haylage for housed sheep
Monitor housed sheep twice daily for disease signs and social problems
Reduce housing duration to the minimum necessary for weather or management reasons