Farm Animals

Sheep Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention

Hypothermia is the leading cause of lamb mortality worldwide, making its prevention through management, environment, and husbandry a critical sheep welfare priority.

Key Facts

Lambs are born with limited brown fat reserves and lose body heat rapidly without appropriate management
Risk factors include cold wet weather, small lambs, large litters, inadequate colostrum, and poor mothering
Rectal temperature below 37C indicates hypothermia requiring immediate intervention
Rewarming must be gentle and graduated - rapid warming of hypothermic lambs can be fatal
Energy supplementation (glucose gel, lamb warming boxes) combined with rewarming saves lives

Welfare Considerations

Hypothermia causes suffering through progressive weakness, inability to stand or suckle, and eventual cardiovascular collapse. The welfare significance is amplified by the scale: billions of lambs are born annually worldwide in conditions that risk hypothermia. Effective prevention through lambing pen design, supervision intensity, breed selection for mothering ability, and shepherd skill significantly reduces this major welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Support farms with intensive lambing supervision, especially during cold wet weather
Learn the signs of hypothermia in lambs and the correct treatment protocol
Advocate for lambing facilities that protect against cold stress including deep bedding and shelter
Choose lamb from farms with verified lambing welfare management protocols