Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention

Hypothermia is a leading cause of lamb mortality in the first 24 hours of life and is largely preventable with appropriate management.

Key Facts

Lambs lose heat rapidly after birth and are dependent on brown fat reserves and colostrum
Exposure to cold, rain and wind without shelter can be fatal within hours
Prompt drying, warming and colostrum feeding are the three cornerstones of prevention
Lambing in sheltered conditions dramatically reduces hypothermia mortality rates
Glucose belly checks help distinguish hypothermia from starvation in chilled lambs

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal hypothermia causes suffering and death in lambs that is largely preventable through attentive lambing management. Provision of shelter, prompt intervention and colostrum supplementation are the most impactful welfare measures during the lambing period.

What You Can Do

Ensure lambing pens provide adequate shelter and bedding for ewes and lambs
Train farm staff in recognition and treatment of chilled lambs including glucose testing
Develop a lambing welfare protocol covering hypothermia prevention and response