Spring lambing in intensive operations involves high welfare demands on both ewes and lambs, with management quality determining outcomes significantly.
Ewes during difficult labors experience pain from uterine contractions, dystocia, and potentially traumatic assisted delivery. Lambs born cold and wet in inadequate environments suffer hypothermia causing confusion and weakness before death. Separation of ewes from lambs before bonding is established causes distress in both. Orphan lambs requiring artificial feeding lack the immunological protection of colostrum if not provided promptly. Well-managed intensive lambing with attentive stockpeople significantly reduces welfare harms but requires substantial skill and labor.