Table 1. Animal-based welfare measures used to assess ewe welfare.

Welfare measures	Assessment criteria
Body condition score	Scored on a 5-point scale, using a quarter-unit precision [24,25] (1) Emaciated. Dorsal spinous and transverse processes are sharp and prominent. (2) Thin. Dorsal spinous processes are still prominent, but not as sharp. Transverse processes rounder on edges. (3) Average. Spinous and transverse processes are smoother and less prominent. (4) Fat. Considerable pressure is needed to feel dorsal spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt (5) Obese. Dorsal spinous and transverse processes cannot be felt.
Fleece condition	Scored on a 3-point scale: (0) Good fleece condition, when parted, the fleece has no lumpiness or signs of ectoparasites (1) Some fleece loss, small shedding or bald patches ≤ 10 cm diameter. When parted, the fleece may have some lumpiness or scurf, little evidence of ectoparasites (2) Significant fleece loss with bald patches of greater than 10 cm in diameter, clear evidence of ectoparasite [26]
Skin lesions	Assessed by recording number, location and severity of the skin lesions. Lesions were classified as cuts, open wounds, old wounds or scars and abscesses.
Dag score	Scored on a 6-point scale: (0) No evidence of faecal soiling (1) Very light soiling on the breech area (2) Moderate dag on the breech area extending ventrally (3) Severe dag predominantly on the breech area, extending ventrally and dorsally over the tail some soiling and dag around anus (4) Excessive dag on the breech area and on the hind legs (5) Very severe dag on the breech area and on the hind legs or below the level of the hocks [27]
Lameness	Scored on a 4-point scale: (0) Not lame (1) Clear shortening of stride with obvious head nodding or flicking as the affected limb touches the floor (2) Clear shortening of stride with obvious head nodding and not weight-bearing on affected limb whilst moving (3) Reluctant to stand or move [26]