Sheep Health and Welfare: Common Problems and Prevention

Healthy sheep are productive sheep. Preventive health management costs less than treating disease and reduces animal suffering. Understanding common health issues and prevention strategies keeps your flock thriving.

Parasite management represents the single most important health task. Internal parasites (worms) debilitate sheep, reduce growth, and cause death if untreated. External parasites like scab cause severe itching and wool loss. Establish a regular drench programme with your veterinarian, typically drenching 2-4 times yearly depending on age and season. Monitor for resistance by rotating drench types. Grazing management—avoiding overstocking and rotating pastures—reduces parasite burdens naturally.

Foot health demands regular attention. Foot rot, caused by bacteria, creates lameness and pain. Inspect feet regularly and trim overgrown hooves before problems develop. Footbaths containing copper sulphate or formalin treat infected flocks, though prevention through good drainage and hygiene works better. Some farmers maintain foot-trimming schedules every 6-8 weeks.

Vaccination protects against serious diseases. Clostridial diseases (blackleg, pulpy kidney) are fatal but preventable through vaccination. Most UK sheep receive a combined vaccine, with boosters annually. Pneumonia vaccines benefit young lambs in intensive systems. Your vet recommends appropriate vaccines based on your flock's circumstances.

Mastitis causes serious udder infections, particularly around lambing. Maintain clean lambing facilities, ensure lambs nurse effectively, and treat cases promptly with antibiotics. Some ewes suffer chronic mastitis—consider culling persistent cases to protect flock health.

Mineral deficiencies create subtle but significant problems. Copper deficiency causes poor wool and reduced immunity. Selenium deficiency causes white muscle disease in lambs. Cobalt deficiency leads to poor growth. Provide mineral supplements through drenches, boluses, or mineral blocks appropriate to your region. Scottish soils are often deficient in these minerals.

Scab represents a notifiable disease requiring swift action. Symptoms include intense itching, wool loss, and scabby skin. If suspected, contact DEFRA immediately and your vet. Whole-flock dips treat infected animals, though this is increasingly replaced by injectable treatments.

Establish relationships with experienced local vets familiar with sheep. Regular health checks, particularly around key times like pre-lambing and weaning, identify problems early. Keep detailed health records noting treatments, dates, and responses. This information guides future decisions and demonstrates good welfare practices.