Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Neonatal Lamb Survival and Colostrum

Adequate colostrum intake in the first hours of life is the single most critical factor determining neonatal lamb survival. Poor colostrum management causes preventable suffering and high lamb mortality.

Key Facts

Lambs must receive colostrum within 6 hours of birth to absorb maternal antibodies
Colostrum provides energy, immunoglobulins, and growth factors vital for survival
Hypothermic lambs cannot absorb colostrum effectively - warming must come first
Twin and triplet lambs are at highest risk of inadequate colostrum intake
Colostrum banking allows reserves to be stored for future use

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal lamb mortality causes immense suffering and represents a major welfare failure point in sheep farming. Most deaths are preventable with attentive shepherding, adequate maternal nutrition in late pregnancy, and prompt colostrum intervention for at-risk lambs.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farming education programmes on colostrum management
Advocate for lambing supervision standards on commercial farms
Choose lamb and wool from farms with demonstrated low neonatal mortality