Welfare of Sheep During Lambing — Cold Stress and Neonatal Survival

Lamb mortality during the first 24 hours of life is among the highest of any farmed animal, with cold stress, inadequate colostrum, and dystocia being the primary causes.

Key Facts

Approximately 15-20% of lambs born in the UK die before weaning — neonatal mortality is the largest loss in sheep farming
Cold stress is the leading killer of newborn lambs — lambs can die within hours of birth in cold wet conditions
Dystocia (difficult birth) requires prompt intervention — delayed intervention causes lamb and ewe suffering and death
Colostrum intake within 2 hours of birth is critical — lambs that miss this window face severe infection risk
Triplet and quadruplet lambs have higher mortality due to reduced maternal investment per lamb
Shepherd skill and vigilance during lambing directly determines both welfare outcomes and productivity
Lambing season timing (outdoor vs indoor) significantly affects cold stress mortality rates

Welfare Considerations

Lambing welfare highlights the alignment between welfare and productivity in sheep farming. Dead lambs represent economic loss; suffering lambs represent welfare failure. Investment in shepherd training, adequate shelter, colostrum management, and early detection of problems simultaneously improves welfare and reduces economic loss. The welfare calculus during lambing is demanding — shepherds may attend hundreds of births in challenging conditions, making vigilance difficult to maintain. Support through adequate staffing, good shelter facilities, and appropriate timing of lambing season relative to weather conditions reflects both welfare commitment and good farm management.

What You Can Do

Support higher welfare lamb products that reflect investment in lambing management
Advocate for shepherd training requirements in sheep welfare standards
Donate to organisations providing shepherd training in developing country sheep farming contexts
Support research into lambing management practices that improve neonatal survival
Engage with wool and lamb suppliers about their neonatal mortality rates and interventions