Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Neonatal Lamb Survival Strategies

Neonatal mortality in lambs is a major welfare and production concern, with prevention requiring targeted management interventions.

Key Facts

Neonatal mortality accounts for up to 15-20% of lamb losses in some flocks
Hypothermia, mismothering, and starvation are leading causes of death
Colostrum intake within the first 6 hours is critical for immune protection
Lambing pen design and supervision intensity significantly affect outcomes
Fostering and artificial rearing protocols can save at-risk lambs

Welfare Considerations

Every lamb death represents a welfare failure as well as an economic loss. Investing in improved lambing facilities, supervision, and shepherd training yields significant benefits for animal welfare and farm profitability.

What You Can Do

Support farms that invest in lambing facilities and staffing
Advocate for training programs for shepherds in neonatal lamb care
Choose lamb from welfare-certified farms with lower mortality standards