Maintaining the welfare of sheep during the wool harvesting operation is not only mandatory under existing legislation but it also makes good business sense.

There is an array of Codes of Practice relating to the welfare of livestock. For example, the Victorian Department of Agriculture has developed a Code of Practice for the welfare of sheep.

The DPI Code lists the basic requirements for the welfare of sheep, one of which is:

"handling facilities which under normal usage do not cause injury and which minimise stress to the sheep"

Some key elements to consider in this regard are:

• sheep should never be shedded to tightly that makes movement difficult or could cause sheep to smother. Sheep should always be emptied out before shedding; 
• remove any protruding objects that may injure or impair the movement of sheep through the shed; and
• ensure that the shed is sufficiently insulated and / or ventilated to maintain sheep comfort whilst in the shed.

See information about sheep behaviour or return to renovate or build.