Sheep Lambing Season Welfare and Neonatal Care

Lambing season is a critical welfare period for both ewes and lambs. Good neonatal care dramatically reduces lamb mortality and welfare compromise during the most vulnerable phase of life.

Key Facts

Lamb mortality rates in UK flocks average 15-20% from birth to weaning age
Hypothermia is the leading cause of lamb death in the first 24 hours of life
Adequate colostrum intake within 2 hours of birth is critical for lamb survival and welfare
Mismothering and lamb abandonment are more common in large flocks with inadequate supervision
Twin and triplet lambs are at significantly higher mortality risk than singles
Good lambing pen design allowing ewe-lamb bonding reduces abandonment rates substantially

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of lambs during the neonatal period has profound implications for survival and lifetime health. Most lamb deaths are preventable with appropriate stockmanship, shelter, and intervention. The challenge for sheep producers is balancing intensive lambing supervision with the labour demands of large flocks. Investment in stockperson training and lambing infrastructure delivers measurable reductions in mortality and suffering.

What You Can Do

Support farms with documented low lamb mortality rates and good neonatal care records
Advocate for lambing stockperson training requirements in sheep welfare guidelines
Choose lamb products from higher welfare certified farms with good management standards
Donate to agricultural education programmes focused on lambing welfare skills
Support research into precision livestock tools for neonatal lamb monitoring