Lambing is a high-welfare-risk period for both ewes and lambs, with the quality of shepherd attention, housing, and veterinary access determining whether welfare problems are identified and addressed promptly.
The welfare outcome of lambing depends critically on the presence and skill of shepherds during parturition and the immediate neonatal period. Ewes with dystocia that receive timely skilled assistance recover with minimal lasting harm; those left unassisted suffer prolonged painful labour and frequently lose lambs. Neonatal hypothermia is rapidly fatal without intervention but highly treatable with warming and colostrum supplementation. Well-managed lambing units with adequate staffing ratios, good record-keeping, and access to veterinary support achieve significantly better welfare outcomes than poorly resourced operations.