Sheep Lambing Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Lambing is an intensive welfare period for ewes and lambs, with key welfare risks around dystocia, hypothermia and rejection.

Key Facts

UK sheep produce approximately 15 million lambs annually, with outdoor lambing predominating
Dystocia (difficult birth) is a significant cause of ewe and lamb mortality and suffering
Hypothermia is the leading cause of lamb mortality in outdoor lambing systems
Twin and triplet lamb survival rates differ significantly from single lambs
Lamb rejection is a welfare concern especially in high-productivity breeds
Careful nutrition management through pregnancy reduces dystocia and improves lamb vigour
Well-designed lambing facilities and trained stockperson presence significantly reduces losses

Welfare Considerations

Lambing represents an intensive welfare challenge requiring close observation and skilled intervention. Ewes experiencing difficult births suffer severe pain, and hypothermic lambs experience significant suffering before death. The welfare solution requires adequate stockperson training, appropriate ewe nutrition management, and well-designed facilities. Higher welfare lambing standards benefit both ewes and lambs.

What You Can Do

Support lamb products from farms demonstrating appropriate lambing infrastructure and training
Learn about lambing welfare standards and choose retailers specifying welfare assurance
Support improved mandatory welfare standards for hill and outdoor sheep farming
Reduce lamb consumption overall, prioritising welfare-certified sources when purchasing