The lambing period is one of the most welfare-critical times for sheep, with high mortality rates among lambs and significant physical challenges for ewes.
Intensive sheep breeding has increased litter sizes beyond what ewes can naturally support, creating welfare challenges at lambing time. Triplets and even quadruplets are increasingly common in high-producing breeds, but ewes have only two teats and limited milk supply. Careful management can mitigate problems, but systemic changes to breeding programs that prioritize welfare alongside productivity are needed. The lambing period concentrates welfare challenges into a short, high-pressure window.