Sheep Neonatal Welfare: Protecting Lambs in the Critical Early Days

Neonatal lamb mortality is a significant welfare and production concern. The first 48 hours of life are critical, with hypothermia, starvation, and trauma the leading causes of loss.

Key Facts

Approximately 15-20% of lambs born alive die within the first week in UK commercial flocks
Hypothermia (low body temperature) is the most common cause of neonatal lamb death
Failure of passive transfer — lambs not receiving enough colostrum — predisposes to infection and death
Twin and triplet lambs are at significantly higher risk than singles
Early intervention with colostrum supplementation and warming can save many affected lambs
Good stockmanship — regular observation during lambing — is the most effective preventive strategy

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal lamb mortality involves significant suffering before death. Hypothermic lambs experience the distress of cold, weakness, and separation from the mother. Starvation and dehydration cause progressive deterioration before death. While some losses are inevitable, a large proportion are preventable with appropriate intervention: adequate shelter, prompt colostrum administration, hypothermia treatment, and responsive stockmanship. Welfare-conscious lambing systems prioritise continuous overnight supervision during peak lambing and rapid intervention protocols for at-risk lambs.

What You Can Do

Support farms with robust lambing protocols, including overnight supervision during peak season
Choose lamb products from farms certified to higher welfare standards
Advocate for training programmes for farmworkers in neonatal lamb care and intervention
Support research into breed selection for improved maternal behaviour and lamb vitality
Raise awareness that high lamb mortality rates are not inevitable but reflect management quality