With financial support of: M.M. Mialon 1, A. Brule 2, E. Pottier 2, A. Boissy 1, D. Gautier 2, X. Boivin 1 1 INRA/VetAgro Sup, Herbivores Unit, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France 2 Institut de l’Elevage, Le Rheu, France Sheep welfare in winter pasturing: First results in French temperate conditions I NTERNATIONAL C ONFERENCE STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK 12-15th January, 2016, Bristol, UK

Context For sheep production systems, pasture plays important roles: - Lower feed costs  Increased sustainability Objectives of the study: Comparison between two housing managements during winter, barn housing vs. pasturing. -Low stocking-densities -Expression of normal behaviour  A good social image: Extension of pasturing periods in winter Impacts on sheep welfare Variation in nutrition Harsh and varied climate

Animals 1370 Non lactating Ewes: Observations In barn and … at pasture Plan of the survey 46 farms: - 26 farms in barn - 20 farms at pasture Normal pedoclimatic conditions: Barn Pasture Survey’s period February and March 2015

Welfare assessment : Animal-based indicators Body condition score Lameness Respiratory disorders Rear end dirtiness 1 Good Feeding 3 Good Health Responsiveness to handling Emotional state Qualitative Behaviour Assessment Wemelsfelder et al Fleece cleanliness 2 Good Housing 4 Appropriate Behaviour

Comparison between the two management systems Body Condition Score Emaciated Fat % of lean ewes * NS *  Be careful for young ewes (< 3 years) in winter pasturing P > 0.05

Variables Barn and pasture % of ewes with No problemModerateSevere Respiratory disorders Lesions Rear end dirtiness Lameness Comparison between the two management systems Various health disorders  In the two systems, very few health disorders except lameness and rear end dirtiness

Individual responsiveness to handling Comparison between the two management systems  No difference between the two management systems. 0 : Ewe easy to catch 1 : Ewe reluctant to be catched P > 0.05

Confident Relaxed Active …. Fearful Alert Defensive …  Ewes at pasture seem more confident than ewes in barns Comparison between the two management systems Emotional state: Qualitative Behaviour Assessment axis of « confidence state » +-+- *

In the context of our study, with pedoclimatic conditions not extreme, and with non-lactating ewes: PrincipleWhat about pasture compared to barn? Good feeding BCS: -No difference for low needs ewes -Risk for young ewes =-=- Good housing Good health Appropriate behaviour Conclusions: What about winter pasturing?

In the context of our study, with pedoclimatic conditions not extreme, and with non-lactating ewes: PrincipleWhat about pasture compared to barn? Good feeding BCS: -No difference for low needs ewes -Risk for young ewes =-=- Good housing Good health - No difference between systems - More frequent concerns in both systems: lameness and dirtiness of the rear end ==== Appropriate behaviour Conclusions: What about winter pasturing?

In the context of our study, with pedoclimatic conditions not extreme, and with non-lactating ewes: PrincipleWhat about pasture compared to barn? Good feeding BCS: -No difference for low needs ewes -Risk for young ewes =-=- Good housing Good health - No difference between systems - More frequent concerns in both systems: lameness and dirtiness of the rear end ==== Appropriate behaviour - No difference in response to handling in a race - Ewes appear more confident at pasture = ++ Conclusions: What about winter pasturing?

In the context of our study, with pedoclimatic conditions not extreme, and with non-lactating ewes: PrincipleWhat about pasture compared to barn? Good feeding BCS: -No difference for low needs ewes -Risk for young ewes =-=- Good housing Cleanliness of fleece (flanks): -No problem at pasture++ Good health - No difference between systems - More frequent concerns in both systems: lameness and dirtiness of the rear end ==== Appropriate behaviour - No difference in response to handling in a race - Ewes appear more confident at pasture = ++ Conclusions: What about winter pasturing?

From this preliminary study we got promising results for sustainable sheep production Need for larger survey considering: – Different types of animal : breed, physiological states – Including extreme conditions – Stockmanship – Impact on environment Conclusions: What about winter pasturing?

14 Thank you for your attention