Lambing is one of the most welfare-intensive periods in sheep farming, with stockperson skill and preparedness determining outcomes for both ewes and lambs.
Lambing welfare depends entirely on stockperson preparedness, skill, and monitoring intensity. A ewe in prolonged labour without assistance suffers significant pain and risks infection; her lamb may die from prolonged birth or arrive hypothermic without intervention. A mismothered lamb that does not receive colostrum within hours of birth faces severe immune compromise. The stockperson who checks flocks every two to four hours during peak lambing, identifies problems early, intervenes appropriately, and follows up on vulnerable individuals achieves dramatically better welfare outcomes than one who checks morning and evening. No amount of facility investment compensates for inadequate monitoring and delayed intervention during the lambing period.