Sheep preference for different types of pen flooring were tested using two lying areas with one of the following flooring materials: 1) solid wood versus rubber mats, 2) expanded metal versus solid wood, 3) solid wood versus straw, or 4) expanded metal versus straw. In experiment one, 16 ewes were divided into four groups to test their preferences. In experiment two, eight ewes were individually tested, first fully coated, then once shorn. In experiment one, the first animal that lay down after feeding preferred to lie on straw over wood or metal, and preferred to lie on wood over metal. Unshorn ewes did not show a flooring preference. In experiment two, individually housed, unshorn ewes preferred wooden flooring to rubber mats, and tended to choose expanded metal flooring to straw. The other treatments did not show any preferences. Once shorn, the ewes preferred wooden flooring to expanded metal, straw to wooden flooring, and straw to expanded metal flooring. A preference between rubber mats and wooden flooring did not exist. For unshorn ewes, the mean lying time (% of observations) for all treatments was 64.7 %. There were no significant differences between treatments. In the first 2-3 days post-shearing, mean lying time (% of observations) was 43 %. The lying times for pre-shearing and post-shearing differed when the ewes were housed in pens with no straw, but not when ewes had access to straw. There was indication that shorn ewes preferred softer floors with low thermal conductivity (straw and wood), but this was not noted for unshorn ewes. Access to straw in the first week after shearing may improve animal welfare, which is concluded from the less dramatic reduction in lying time after shearing when ewes have access to straw.