The principles of sheep behaviour from a welfare perspective constitute a fundamental pillar of modern animal science, especially within intensive and extensive livestock production systems. A scientific synthesis by Manenti, Toschi, Miretti, and de la Lama (2026) in Small Ruminant Research offers a narrative examination of these behaviours,  framed through the lens of welfare science. This work establishes behaviour as the primary diagnostic tool for interpreting, evaluating, and enhancing welfare across varied agricultural environments.

Sheep behaviour results from a synergy of causal biological mechanisms, functional survival requirements, ontogenetic development, and evolutionary history. Within the framework of animal welfare, these behavioural patterns provide a critical window into how individuals manage environmental stressors and the subsequent impact on their psychological states, biological functioning, and species-specific repertoires. Such analysis deepens the understanding of fundamental biological needs, facilitating the elevation of welfare standards across diverse production landscapes.

The research illuminates how sensory perception and underlying motivational systems dictate individual, social, and maternal activities. It further scrutinises the emergence of abnormal behaviours and their direct correlation with human-animal dynamics in the production context.

Since approximately 1990, animal welfare research has produced substantial evidence regarding the behaviour, sentience, and biological thresholds of farm animals. These scientific advancements, coupled with the intensification of production and the rapid globalisation of information, have transitioned animal welfare into a primary global social concern.

See more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107687