Sheep Lambing Welfare: Protecting Ewes and Lambs During Birth

Lambing is a critical welfare period for sheep. Appropriate husbandry, skilled intervention, and aftercare significantly reduce suffering for both ewes and their lambs.

Key Facts

Approximately 60 million lambs are born annually in the UK alone; global sheep populations exceed 1 billion
Dystocia (difficult birth) occurs in approximately 5-10% of ewes and requires prompt intervention to prevent maternal and lamb mortality
Hypothermia is the leading cause of lamb mortality in outdoor lambing systems — lambs lose heat rapidly at birth
Mismothering — rejection of lambs by ewes — causes both lamb starvation and maternal distress
Twin and triplet lambs have higher welfare risk than singles due to competition for colostrum and maternal attention
Colostrum intake within the first 6 hours of life is critical for lamb survival and immune function
Welfare monitoring during lambing requires regular checks — typically every 2-4 hours around the clock
Pain management for ewes undergoing assisted deliveries is often neglected but improves recovery and maternal behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Lambing causes significant welfare challenges for both ewes and lambs. Dystocia causes intense pain and can result in uterine damage, prolapse, and death without timely intervention. Inadequate pain management during assisted births affects ewe recovery and maternal bonding. Hypothermic lambs suffer progressively worsening thermoregulatory failure. Rejected lambs face starvation and distress. The scale of sheep farming means that even small improvements in lambing welfare practice affect millions of animals. Intensive lambing management during the key period is both welfare-optimal and economically beneficial — lamb survival directly affects farm viability, creating aligned incentives when producers understand the welfare-productivity connection.

What You Can Do

Support lamb welfare improvement programs through the Sheep Veterinary Society and welfare organisations
Advocate for pain management protocols for ewes during assisted deliveries
Support adequate shelter provision for outdoor lambing systems
Choose lamb products from farms with documented lambing welfare management protocols
Reduce lamb consumption or choose plant-based alternatives
Support research into lamb hypothermia prevention and treatment techniques
Engage with farming communities about the economic and welfare benefits of good lambing management