Lambing is the most intensive period in the sheep farming calendar. Welfare outcomes for ewes and lambs depend on preparation, stockmanship and rapid identification of difficulties.
Lambing welfare involves two sets of animals: ewes experiencing the physical demands of birth and early lactation, and lambs facing the critical first 24 hours. Ewes with untreated dystocia suffer preventable pain and trauma — training stockpeople in assisted delivery and providing anti-inflammatory medication at birth improve welfare measurably. Lambs that do not receive sufficient colostrum within 6 hours of birth face hypothermia and failure of passive immunity — both welfare emergencies and production losses. Lamb marking (ear tagging, castration, tail docking) requires pain relief under UK law — however compliance with pain relief requirements varies. Outdoor lambing in exposed conditions without adequate shelter creates welfare risks for both newborn lambs and post-parturient ewes.