Farm Animals

Sheep Welfare and Lambing Supervision 2026

Lambing supervision is one of the highest-impact interventions for sheep welfare, dramatically reducing neonatal mortality and suffering.

Key Facts

Neonatal mortality in sheep accounts for 15-25% of all lambs born in extensive systems
Supervision during lambing reduces mortality by up to 50% in well-managed flocks
Hypothermia is the leading cause of neonatal lamb death in cold climates
Mismothering prevention through early bonding protocols reduces rejection rates
Remote lambing cameras allow 24-hour monitoring without disturbing ewes

Welfare Considerations

Lambing supervision represents one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost welfare interventions available. Every lamb saved from hypothermia or mismothering represents significant suffering prevented.

What You Can Do

Advocate for lambing supervision best practice sharing
Support technology access for remote monitoring
Choose lamb products from farms with documented lambing protocols