Sheep welfare assessment has traditionally focused on negative indicators including disease and injury. Research on positive welfare indicators including play behaviour, exploration, and social affiliation is changing how sheep welfare is measured and promoted.
Sheep that display play behaviour, social affiliation, and exploratory behaviour are expressing positive welfare states that reflect physical health and environmental adequacy. Conversely, sheep that are fearful, inactive, or socially isolated are experiencing welfare compromise even in the absence of clinical disease. Incorporating positive welfare indicators into farm assessment provides a more complete picture of sheep welfare than disease scoring alone.