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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
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Clinical Examination Protocol to Detect Atypical and Classical Scrapie in Sheep
Published on: January 19, 2014
Sheep Welfare in Confined and Pasture Production Systems: A Comparative Study with Emphasis on Parasitological Status
Katarina Nenadović1, Dejan Bugarski2, Tamara Ilić3
1Department of Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Veterinary Sciences
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Sheep farming systems significantly impact ewe welfare and parasite prevalence. Pasture systems showed more external issues, while confined systems had higher fleece loss and hoof problems, necessitating targeted parasite control.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Animal Welfare
Background:
- Traditional pasture-based sheep farming offers natural living conditions, while barn farming provides enhanced environmental control.
- The chosen sheep management system is a critical determinant of animal physical and mental health.
- Understanding the interplay between farming systems, welfare indicators, and parasite prevalence is essential for optimizing sheep health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare welfare indicators in pasture-based versus confined sheep management systems.
- To determine parasite prevalence across different sheep farming systems.
- To examine the impact of parasitic infections on ewe welfare within each system.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 1192 ewes (aged 2-7 years) across 26 farms (13 pasture, 13 confined) from November 2025 to April 2026.
- Assessment of animal-based welfare indicators using the AWIN protocol for sheep.
- Determination of parasitic infections through fecal sampling.
Main Results:
- Pasture farms exhibited higher rates of soiled fleece, skin lesions, ocular/nasal discharge, respiratory issues, fecal soiling, borderline anemia, and itching (p < 0.001).
- Confined systems showed increased prevalence of fleece loss, hoof overgrowth, udder asymmetry, and wool pulling (p < 0.001).
- Significant correlations were found between specific welfare indicators and parasite infections (e.g., thin body condition score with Eimeria spp., nasal discharge with Muellerius capillaris) in both systems (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Both pasture and confined sheep farming systems present distinct welfare challenges and parasite prevalence patterns.
- Targeted parasite control strategies are crucial for improving ewe welfare in all management systems.
- Further research into system-specific interventions is needed to enhance overall sheep health and productivity.
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