🐑 Twin and Triplet Lamb Welfare

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Welfare Priority: Twin and triplet lambs are at significantly higher risk of welfare problems than singles — hypothermia, starvation, and mis-mothering cause substantial mortality and suffering every lambing season. Good management dramatically reduces these losses.

Why Multiple Lambs Are Higher Risk

Ewes carrying multiple lambs in late pregnancy are under significant metabolic stress. Each lamb is smaller, born with less fat reserves, and has more competition for colostrum. The ewe's maternal behaviour must encompass multiple lambs simultaneously — creating opportunities for one lamb to be overlooked or rejected.

Colostrum — The Critical Factor

Why Colostrum Matters

Colostrum (first milk) provides essential immunoglobulins that protect lambs against disease in their first weeks of life. Lambs absorb these antibodies from the gut only in the first 24 hours — the gut "closes" thereafter. A lamb without adequate colostrum is highly susceptible to joint ill, watery mouth, pneumonia, and other infections.

Colostrum Requirements

Each lamb requires minimum 50 ml/kg bodyweight in the first 6 hours of life
Prioritise colostrum from the ewe — it contains lamb-specific antibodies
In triplets or where ewe colostrum is insufficient: stockpile colostrum from ewes that have lost lambs; use bovine colostrum; use commercial colostrum replacer (not substitute)
Check each lamb is actively suckling — triplets frequently have one lamb that misses out

Bonding and Mis-mothering

The Bonding Window

Ewes recognise their lambs primarily through smell, learning the individual scent in the first 2 hours after birth. Disruptions during this critical period prevent bond formation. Keep ewe and lambs together quietly, undisturbed, for minimum 2 hours after birth.

Identifying Bonding Problems

Ewe turning away from or butting a lamb
One lamb consistently being displaced from the teat by a sibling
Lamb in different part of pen from ewe
Lamb showing lethargy, poor coat, or "tucked up" appearance — signs of cold and hunger

Management Interventions

Individual lambing pens for all ewes — allow adequate space (2 m² minimum) for ewe and multiple lambs
Marking lambs and ewe with same number at birth — aids identification of pairs/triplets
Restraint cradle for mis-mothering ewes — temporary restraint allows lamb to suckle while bond develops (2–4 hours); recheck bond before releasing
Handling of rejected lambs: rub lamb with ewe's birth fluids or amniotic fluid to promote acceptance

Triplet Management

Triplets require specific management — a ewe cannot effectively rear three lambs to good body condition:

Fostering one triplet onto a ewe with a single is the best welfare outcome for all
Ewes that have lost a lamb can foster a spare triplet using scenting techniques
Artificial rearing (bottle lambs) is labour-intensive but provides adequate welfare if well managed
Specialist lamb bars/automatic feeders allow group rearing with less individual labour

Fostering Techniques

Skinning: Skin a dead lamb and place the skin on the foster lamb — ewe accepts based on scent recognition
Scenting: Rub foster lamb with ewe's birth fluids, urine, or milk
Restraint fostering: Restrain ewe while lamb suckles; repeat for 2–3 days while bond forms
CEVA Ceva fostering paste: Commercial product masking scent differences

Outcome Target: A well-managed lambing system should achieve lamb mortality below 5% from birth to weaning. High mortality (10%+) indicates systematic welfare problems requiring veterinary and nutritional review, stockperson training assessment, or housing/management changes.