Sheep Lambing Welfare Practices | Animal Welfare Hub

The lambing period is one of the most intense welfare events in sheep farming, with high rates of neonatal mortality and maternal stress.

Key Facts

UK sheep farmers lose approximately 3 million lambs each year to neonatal mortality
Hypothermia, mismothering, and starvation account for the majority of lamb deaths
Indoor lambing protects against weather but can increase disease transmission risk
Outdoor lambing on extensive systems requires frequent shepherd checks
Dystocia (difficult birth) affects around 5% of ewes and requires skilled intervention
Tail docking of lambs is routine in many systems despite pain caused
Twin and triplet lambs have higher mortality rates and require more intensive management

Welfare Considerations

Lambing represents a critical welfare period for both ewes and lambs. Ewes undergoing difficult births experience severe pain, and without intervention, both ewe and lamb mortality increases significantly. Newborn lambs are highly vulnerable to hypothermia within their first hours of life. Mismothering — where ewes reject lambs — causes distress to both and requires human intervention. Routine husbandry procedures including tail docking and castration without anaesthesia cause acute pain. The welfare of both ewes and lambs depends heavily on shepherd skill, adequate staffing during the lambing period, and appropriate shelter provision.

What You Can Do

Support higher welfare sheep farms that provide adequate lambing staffing
Ask your butcher or supermarket about lambing welfare standards
Advocate for mandatory pain relief during all routine husbandry procedures
Support research into reducing lamb mortality through improved nutrition and genetics
Consider reducing lamb and sheep meat consumption as a welfare measure