Livestock

Sheep Welfare Assessment and On-Farm Monitoring

Systematic sheep welfare monitoring using validated assessment tools provides farmers with objective evidence for welfare management decisions.

Key Facts

Flock welfare assessment involves body condition scoring, lameness scoring, and fleece assessment
Lameness prevalence above 2 percent is considered unacceptable under AHDB guidance
Pregnancy toxaemia and other metabolic diseases are assessed through flock monitoring
Post-mortem examination of dead sheep provides welfare and disease intelligence
Flock health planning with a vet provides context for welfare assessment findings

Welfare Considerations

Many welfare problems in sheep become normalised over time because the decline is gradual. Systematic assessment provides objective benchmarks against which improvement or deterioration can be measured. Lameness scoring in particular is a high-value welfare monitoring activity because lameness is common, painful, and treatable.

What You Can Do

Implement monthly lameness scoring in your flock
Participate in AHDB Sheep BRP knowledge exchange programmes
Conduct post-mortem examination on all dead sheep with veterinary support
Support MSD Animal Health welfare monitoring training for sheep farmers