Livestock Welfare

Reproductive Management and Ewe Welfare

Intensive reproductive management in sheep farming can significantly affect ewe welfare through hormonal interventions and lambing intensity.

Key Facts

Hormonal induction of oestrus using sponges and PMSG is common in intensive sheep systems
Out-of-season breeding places physiological demands on ewes outside their natural cycle
High lambing rates increase risk of dystocia, prolapse, and lamb rejection
Lamb abandonment and rejection are significant welfare problems in intensive systems
Accelerated lambing systems producing three crops in two years are particularly intensive

Welfare Considerations

Intensive reproductive management prioritises productivity over individual ewe welfare. Hormonal interventions can cause discomfort and stress. High litter sizes increase the risk of difficult births, uterine prolapse, and maternal exhaustion. Rejected lambs face hypothermia, starvation, and isolation. Management systems should balance productivity with ewe health and the ability of ewes to express maternal behaviour. Monitoring ewe body condition is essential.

What You Can Do

Support lamb producers using lower-intensity reproductive management systems
Choose lamb from extensive or free-range production systems when possible
Advocate for maximum litter size targets in breeding programmes
Support research into welfare-friendly reproductive management alternatives