Sheep Lambing Welfare and Neonatal Care

The lambing period is a critical welfare window for sheep, with neonatal lamb mortality and ewe welfare during and after birth representing significant challenges in both intensive and extensive systems.

Key Facts

Neonatal lamb mortality averages 10-15% in commercial sheep flocks, with hypothermia a leading cause
Dystocia (difficult birth) occurs in 3-5% of ewes and requires prompt intervention to prevent death
Lambs must receive adequate colostrum within 6 hours of birth for passive immunity transfer
Prolific breeds producing triplets and quads have higher welfare challenges due to competition and milk supply
Outdoor lambing during cold weather requires shelter provision and regular checking intervals
Mismothering occurs in approximately 3-5% of ewes and requires intervention to establish bonding
Electronic identification systems increasingly allow individual lamb monitoring from birth

Welfare Considerations

Lambing represents the highest welfare risk period in sheep production, concentrating pain, injury, and mortality risk for both ewes and lambs within a short window. Ewes experiencing dystocia suffer significant pain during prolonged labor, and the failure to intervene promptly leads to preventable deaths. Lambs born in inadequate conditions — cold, wet, without colostrum — suffer rapidly escalating hypothermia that is distressing and often fatal. Good lambing welfare requires adequate staffing during peak periods, clear intervention protocols, appropriate facilities, and skilled stockmanship that can identify and respond quickly to welfare problems.

What You Can Do

Ensure adequate shelter, bedding, and checking frequency during outdoor lambing in cold conditions
Train all staff in difficult birth recognition and basic intervention techniques
Maintain colostrum supplies for orphan or rejected lambs requiring supplemental feeding
Implement electronic identification to track individual lamb welfare from birth
Review and update lambing protocols annually based on welfare outcome data from previous seasons