Assessment of Animal Welfare in Sheep Farming in Semi-Arid Regions

The welfare of farmed animals has become a major social demand in developed countries, as well as the quality of livestock products and the preservation of the environment. In Algeria, the concept of animal welfare in sheep farming remains neglected, although it has been the subject of several studies in developed countries. The objective of this study is to assess animal welfare at the level of sheep farms in the region of M’Sila on the basis of measurable indicators on the animal, allowing us to assess two indicators: good health and appropriate nutrition. The study was conducted between February and June 2024. It included 9622 sheep of different breeds on 55 farms. The results revealed that sheep in M’Sila Governorate enjoy a good level of well-being in most farms. This is attributed to a behavior accepted to some extent regarding the absence of prolonged hunger and thirst, something that is expressed by a good body condition (BCS) in the majority of animals (<i>p</i> < 0.001). It was found that the majority of animals showed (<i>p</i> < 0.01) no signs of illness, bodily injury (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), restricted breathing (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), or lameness (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), indicating their good health. Finally, it is highly recommended to assess the on-farm welfare for emphasizing the key points in improving sheep welfare in Algeria.