Farm Animals

Sheep Lambing Pen Design for Neonatal Survival

Well-designed lambing pens significantly improve neonatal lamb survival by facilitating bonding, reducing hypothermia risk and enabling early colostrum access.

Key Facts

Neonatal lamb mortality from mis-mothering and hypothermia reaches 15-25% on some farms
Individual lambing pens allow ewe-lamb bonding without disturbance from other ewes
Pens should be draught-free, dry and bedded with deep straw
Infrared heating lamps reduce hypothermia risk in cold lambing facilities
Pens between 1.2 and 1.5 square metres balance space for ewe movement and lamb access

Welfare Considerations

Lambing pen design directly affects neonatal mortality rates, which represent significant suffering. Investment in appropriate infrastructure pays dividends in welfare and productivity.

What You Can Do

Ensure lambing pens are available before the lambing season begins
Check ewes and lambs every 2-4 hours during lambing
Have colostrum supplements available for lambs that fail to suckle