Farm Animals

Farm Animal: Lamb Hypothermia and Survival Welfare

Lamb hypothermia is a major cause of early mortality in UK sheep flocks, with welfare and economic impacts linked to lambing environment and management practices.

Key Facts

Hypothermia causes an estimated 15-20% of lamb deaths in UK annually
Neonatal lambs have limited body fat and lose heat rapidly in wet and wind
Early lamb welfare requires: colostrum within 2 hours, dry shelter and warm environment
Lamb survival rates are highest with indoor lambing with adequate bedding
Hill sheep flocks lambing outdoors face greater hypothermia risk in cold springs

Welfare Considerations

Hypothermia causes rapid decline in lamb welfare - shivering, weakness, inability to suckle and death without intervention. Reversible with prompt warming and oral glucose, but irreversible if delayed. Good lambing management with adequate shelter and shepherd vigilance prevents most deaths.

What You Can Do

Support veterinary guidance on lamb hypothermia prevention and treatment
Advocate for lambing welfare standards including shelter requirements
Choose lamb from farms with clear lambing welfare management plans
Support hill farming agri-environment schemes that maintain viable sheep enterprises