The periparturient period in sheep involves significant welfare challenges for both ewes and lambs, with management quality during lambing determining welfare outcomes for millions of animals annually.
The welfare of both ewes and neonatal lambs during lambing depends critically on stockperson observation, skill, and intervention capacity. Ewes experiencing difficult births suffer acute pain from dystocia; neonatal lambs exposed to cold and wet conditions without shelter die slowly from hypothermia. Intensive observation during lambing dramatically reduces both ewe and lamb welfare failures.