Rams are often an afterthought in sheep welfare discussions, yet their welfare during the breeding season — where they may serve large numbers of ewes under pressure — involves specific physical and psychological challenges that deserve attention.
Breeding season places extreme demands on rams: social competition for mating access causes fighting injuries including broken legs, eye injuries, and rib fractures. Over-worked rams serving excessive numbers of ewes lose condition rapidly, developing nutritional deficiencies during their most physically demanding period. Pizzle rot — a bacterial infection of the prepuce — causes severe pain and requires prompt veterinary treatment. Welfare assessment of rams during tupping should include body condition scoring, lameness monitoring, and injury surveillance. Post-tupping recovery feeding is essential to restore body condition before winter.