Twin and triplet bearing ewes have dramatically increased energy requirements in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Inadequate nutrition causes pregnancy toxemia (twin lamb disease) — a metabolic crisis causing recumbency, neurological signs, and death without treatment. Body condition scoring guides targeted nutrition management.
Lambing ewes need adequate space (1.2-1.5m² per ewe in group housing), clean bedding, shelter from wind and precipitation, and access to clean water. Overcrowding increases mismothering, lamb hypothermia, and disease transmission. Pre-lambing housing allows monitoring but can increase respiratory disease risk if ventilation is inadequate.
Dystocia (difficult birth) occurs in 5-10% of births in some breeds. Correct lambing intervention technique prevents ewe injury, lamb hypoxia, and ewe-lamb bond disruption. Stockperson training in lambing assistance is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions on sheep farms.
Lambs are born with minimal energy reserves and rely on rapid colostrum intake for warmth and immunity. Hypothermia is the leading cause of lamb mortality (40-50% of lamb deaths). Colostrum-deprived lambs face both hypothermia and failure of passive immune transfer. Farm protocols for identifying and warming hypothermic lambs are critical.
Ewe-lamb bonding occurs in the first hours after birth and requires undisturbed contact. Lambing pens (individual pens for 24-48 hours after birth) facilitate bonding. Disruption from pen crowding, excessive intervention, or noise causes mismothering. Good stockpersonship minimizes unnecessary disturbance.
UK industry benchmarks target lamb mortality below 5% from birth to marking. Higher mortality indicates welfare and management problems. Veterinary investigation of mortality causes, systematic record-keeping, and targeted intervention improve outcomes. Welfare and economic incentives are aligned in lamb survival.