Farm Animals

Sheep Welfare and Lambing Season Mortality

Lambing season is the highest mortality period in sheep production, and improving survival rates through better management also reduces the suffering of vulnerable newborn lambs.

Key Facts

Neonatal lamb mortality averages 10-15% in UK flocks and can exceed 25% in poorly managed flocks
Hypothermia is the leading cause of neonatal lamb death, accounting for up to 50% of losses
Dystocia — difficult birth — causes suffering to both ewes and lambs and is a major welfare concern
Supervision intensity at lambing has the single greatest impact on lamb survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal lamb suffering from hypothermia, starvation, and injury is substantial and largely preventable. Lambs that die within 48 hours often experience prolonged weakness and cold stress before death. Improving lambing supervision, shelter provision, and ewe nutrition dramatically reduces both mortality and the suffering of lambs that ultimately die.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farming certification schemes that include lambing welfare monitoring requirements
Advocate for minimum shelter standards and supervision requirements during lambing season
Support research into cost-effective lambing supervision technologies including remote cameras
Choose lamb products from farms with documented low neonatal mortality rates
Donate to farm welfare organizations that provide practical guidance to sheep farmers