Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Neonatal Coccidiosis Prevention

Coccidiosis in young lambs causes profuse diarrhoea, dehydration and death, and prevention through management and prophylactic treatment is far more effective than treatment of established disease.

Key Facts

Eimeria species cause coccidiosis primarily in lambs aged 3-8 weeks
Overcrowding in lambing pens and wet conditions favour oocyst accumulation
Prophylactic diclazuril or toltrazuril prevents coccidiosis during the risk period
Clinical disease causes suffering, permanent gut damage and poor growth
Clean, dry lambing environments with good hygiene are the foundation of prevention

Welfare Considerations

Coccidiosis causes acute suffering in young lambs - profuse watery diarrhoea, dehydration, weakness and death. Many deaths occur before treatment is possible. Prevention through environmental hygiene, avoiding overcrowding, and strategic use of prophylactic anticoccidials during the peak risk period is both more effective and more welfare-positive than reactive treatment. Good lambing environment management is the foundation.

What You Can Do

Advocate for coccidiosis prevention planning as part of sheep health plans
Support farmers with guidance on lambing pen hygiene and stocking density
Choose lamb from farms with documented neonatal disease prevention protocols