Farmed Animals

Sheep Welfare During Lambing Season

Lambing is a high-welfare-risk period for both ewes and lambs requiring intensive management and monitoring.

Key Facts

Approximately 40 percent of lamb deaths occur at or around birth in some UK flocks
Dystocia (difficult birth) causes significant suffering in ewes and contributes to stillbirths
Exposure to cold and wet is the leading cause of lamb mortality in UK upland flocks
Adequate colostrum intake within the first few hours of life is critical for lamb survival
Selenium and vitamin E deficiencies cause white muscle disease, a preventable cause of lamb mortality

Welfare Considerations

Lambing is one of the highest-risk periods for sheep welfare on UK farms. Poor management during lambing results in preventable suffering and death for both ewes and lambs. Investment in shelter, nutrition, lambing assistance training, and colostrum management significantly improves welfare outcomes during this critical period.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that include lambing management requirements
Choose lamb from farms with documented welfare monitoring during lambing
Advocate for farmer training and support in lambing welfare management
Support research into reducing lamb mortality and ewe welfare during parturition