Adequate colostrum intake within the first hours of life is the single most important determinant of lamb survival and welfare.
Failure of passive transfer through inadequate colostrum intake is the most common cause of lamb disease and death. Lambs with inadequate passive immunity are vulnerable to infections that cause severe suffering and death. Ensuring every lamb receives adequate colostrum within 6 hours of birth is the highest-impact single intervention for lamb welfare. This requires attentive observation during lambing and willingness to tube-feed when necessary.