Farm Animals

Sheep Welfare and Pain-Free Lambing

Lambing is a high-intensity period when skilled intervention makes the difference between life and death for ewes and lambs, with analgesic provision being a key welfare improvement.

Key Facts

Dystocia requires immediate skilled intervention to prevent fetal and maternal mortality
Prolonged labour causes fatigue, pain, and oxygen deprivation to the lamb
NSAID analgesics following difficult births reduce pain and improve recovery
Calcium supplementation prevents milk fever which causes weakness and collapse
Night lambing checks require intensive monitoring during critical periods

Welfare Considerations

Lambing welfare depends on stockmanship skill and preparedness. Ewes experiencing dystocia suffer significantly and require prompt skilled assistance to minimise duration of struggling. Post-lambing analgesics for ewes that have experienced difficult births are increasingly recognised as important welfare interventions. Hypothermic lambs that receive appropriate warmth and colostrum support have good welfare outcomes; those that do not die slowly from cold and starvation.

What You Can Do

Support NSAID analgesic provision for ewes following difficult births
Advocate for veterinary guidance on lambing pain management as standard advice
Choose lamb from farms engaged with welfare-positive lambing protocols
Support training programmes improving lambing intervention skills
Encourage farmers to record lambing difficulties to identify patterns requiring veterinary attention