Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Copper Deficiency and Supplementation

Copper deficiency in sheep causes significant welfare impacts through neurological disease, immune suppression, and reproductive failure.

Key Facts

Swayback (enzootic ataxia) in lambs is caused by copper deficiency in ewes during pregnancy
Affected lambs show incoordination, weakness, and in severe cases are unable to walk
Copper deficiency can be primary (low dietary copper) or secondary (antagonist interference)
Blood and liver testing guides supplementation to avoid toxicity - a real risk in sheep
Targeted supplementation during pregnancy prevents most cases of swayback

Welfare Considerations

Copper deficiency causes preventable suffering in lambs and ewes. Proactive monitoring and targeted supplementation, guided by blood or liver testing, prevents the neurological disease and immune compromise that characterize deficiency.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farmers with veterinary-guided mineral management programs
Advocate for trace element monitoring as part of sheep flock health planning
Choose wool and lamb from farms demonstrating good nutritional management