Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Copper Deficiency and Supplementation Welfare

Copper deficiency causes serious welfare problems in sheep including swayback in lambs and poor fleece quality in adults.

Key Facts

Primary copper deficiency occurs when pasture copper is insufficient for sheep requirements
Secondary deficiency occurs when dietary molybdenum and sulphur prevent copper absorption
Swayback in lambs is a neurological copper deficiency condition causing permanent locomotor damage
Copper supplementation must be carefully managed as sheep are prone to toxicity
Soil testing and appropriate supplementation prevents deficiency on copper-poor farms

Welfare Considerations

Copper deficiency causes preventable welfare harm from neurological damage in lambs and poor condition in adults. The challenge is providing adequate copper while avoiding toxicity. Veterinary guidance on supplementation is essential given the narrow safe range.

What You Can Do

Implement soil and herbage copper testing on farms with history of deficiency
Administer copper supplementation under veterinary guidance to avoid toxicity risk
Monitor lambs from ewes on copper-deficient land closely for signs of swayback