Neonatal Lamb Welfare: Critical First Hours
The Critical First Hours
Lambs are born with very little body fat reserve and are highly vulnerable to hypothermia and hypoglycaemia in the first hours of life. They must receive adequate colostrum within 4-6 hours of birth to transfer passive immunity, and within 30 minutes for optimal immune benefit. The combination of cold ambient temperature, wet coat, and low body fat makes hypothermia the leading cause of lamb mortality in the UK (responsible for ~40% of lamb deaths).
Colostrum Management
Colostrum (first milk) contains immunoglobulins, energy, and growth factors essential for lamb survival. Lambs should receive a minimum of 50ml/kg body weight within the first 6 hours, and 200ml/kg total in the first 24 hours. Ewes that have failed to bond, are ill, or have insufficient colostrum require intervention: stomach tubing with the ewe's own colostrum, pooled colostrum from other ewes, or bovine colostrum as a substitute. Commercial colostrum replacers vary in quality.
Hypothermia Management
Hypothermia is classified by rectal temperature: mild (>37°C but cold and weak), moderate (31-37°C), severe (<31°C). Treatment: mild cases — dry the lamb and allow ewe bonding or provide heat source; moderate cases — warm externally (warming box, 37-40°C) and provide colostrum via stomach tube; severe cases — administer intraperitoneal dextrose (avoid stomach tube when lamb is severely hypothermic due to regurgitation risk), then warm externally. Recognising and distinguishing hypothermia from hypoglycaemia is important.
Dystocia and Neonatal Trauma
Difficult births (dystocia) can cause neonatal trauma: cerebral oedema, rib fractures, limb fractures, and internal injuries. Lambs affected by difficult births may be depressed, weak, or have neurological signs. NSAIDs (meloxicam) reduce post-birth inflammation and improve welfare in lambs affected by dystocia. Prompt, skilled obstetric assistance reduces the incidence and severity of neonatal trauma.
Monitoring Systems
Effective monitoring of lambing ewes and lambs requires: regular supervision of the lambing area (at minimum every 4 hours, more frequently during peak lambing); individual lamb weighing at birth (allowing identification of lightweight lambs at highest hypothermia/hypoglycaemia risk); recording of lambing interventions and colostrum provision; and clear protocols for escalating welfare concerns to veterinary attention. Farms should have all necessary equipment (stomach tubes, warming boxes, colostrum) readily accessible.