Sheep Lambing: Welfare Challenges in the Lambing Season

Lambing is the most welfare-intensive period of the sheep farming year. Good lambing management protects the wellbeing of both ewes and newborn lambs.

Key Facts

Sheep have a gestation period of approximately 147 days; lambing typically occurs in late winter to spring depending on breed and management.
Dystocia (difficult birth) occurs in approximately 5-10% of ewes and is the leading cause of ewe and lamb mortality during lambing.
Exposure (hypothermia) is the most common cause of lamb death in the first 24 hours, particularly in outdoor lambing systems.
Mis-mothering — ewes failing to bond with or accept their lambs — is a significant welfare concern, especially in high-prolificacy breeds.
Twin and triplet lambs face greater mortality risk due to competition for colostrum and increased exposure risk.
Colostrum intake within the first 6 hours of birth is critical for immune function and survival — lamb gut closes rapidly after birth.
Shelter provision, close monitoring, and stockperson skills are the most important factors in lambing welfare outcomes.

Welfare Considerations

Lambing season concentrates welfare risk. Ewes experiencing dystocia suffer acute pain from obstructed labor; without intervention, both ewe and lamb may die. Newborn lambs are highly vulnerable to cold stress, especially those born small or to ewes with insufficient milk. The bond between ewe and lamb is formed very rapidly after birth — interference during this critical period increases the risk of lamb rejection, with rejected lambs requiring intensive foster or hand-rearing. Hand-reared lambs often develop attachment disorders and social deficits. Good lambing welfare requires adequate shelter (particularly for outdoor flocks), close overnight checks during peak lambing, prompt intervention for dystocia with analgesia and lubrication, and a clear protocol for fostering or supplementary feeding lambs at risk.

What You Can Do

Ensure ewes have adequate nutrition in late pregnancy to support milk production and lamb birth weight.
Provide shelter and bedding for lambing ewes, particularly in exposed outdoor systems.
Check lambing ewes at least every 2-4 hours overnight during peak lambing — overnight checks save lives.
Be skilled in or have veterinary support for dystocia management — and always use lubrication and analgesia.
Ensure lambs receive adequate colostrum within the first 6 hours — supplement or tube-feed if necessary.
Work with your vet to develop a lambing management plan that addresses specific welfare risks for your flock and system.