Sheep Welfare in Lambing Season | Animal Welfare Hub

Lambing is the highest-risk period for sheep welfare, with hypothermia, mismothering, and dystocia causing significant neonatal mortality and suffering.

Key Facts

UK sheep flocks lose an estimated 3.5% of lambs to hypothermia, starvation, and mismothering annually
Dystocia - difficult birth - causes significant welfare harm to both ewe and lamb and requires prompt intervention
Twin and triplet lambs are at higher risk from competition for nutrition and inadequate maternal bonding
Prolapse of the uterus or vagina is a welfare emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention
Outdoor lambing in cold, wet conditions increases hypothermia risk compared to indoor lambing systems
Pain relief for difficult births and post-lambing procedures is recommended but not universally practiced

Welfare Considerations

The first 48 hours of life are the most welfare-critical period for sheep. Hypothermia kills lambs rapidly and causes significant suffering before death. Mismothered lambs that cannot find nutrition starve. Ewes experiencing difficult births suffer pain that can impair bonding with lambs, creating a cascade of welfare problems. Good shepherding - frequent observation, prompt intervention, and appropriate pain management - is the primary welfare tool during lambing, making shepherd skill the most important welfare variable.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farming training programs that improve lambing management skills
Advocate for pain relief to be standard practice for difficult births and post-lambing procedures
Back research into lamb survival interventions including colostrum supplementation protocols
Choose lamb from farms with documented lambing management standards
Visit and support local farm animal welfare organizations working with sheep farmers on welfare improvement