Practical Management Interventions to Reduce Lamb Mortality in an Industrial Sheep Production System

Background: High lamb mortality remains a critical challenge in intensive sheep production systems, with losses often exceeding ۲۰-۳۰% in some flocks. Major causes include neonatal infections, inadequate colostrum intake, and poor umbilical hygiene. Reducing mortality is essential for improving animal welfare, farm productivity, and economic sustainability. Methods: During the lambing season on an industrial sheep farm, three targeted interventions were implemented: (۱) administration of a single prophylactic dose of antibiotics immediately after birth, (۲) disinfection of the umbilical cord, and (۳) systematic monitoring of colostrum and milk intake in newborn lambs. Mortality rates before and after intervention were recorded and compared. Results: Prior to intervention, lamb mortality in the flock averaged ۴۰%. Following the adoption of the combined management measures, mortality decreased dramatically to ۱۰%. The most significant improvements were observed in reductions of early neonatal deaths associated with infection and failure of passive transfer. Conclusion: A simple, integrated management protocol combining antibiotic prophylaxis, umbilical cord disinfection, and colostrum monitoring can substantially reduce lamb mortality in industrial sheep production. These findings highlight the importance of immediate postnatal care and nutritional monitoring in improving lamb survival. Wider adoption of such measures could enhance both animal welfare and farm profitability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Lamb mortality ، Neonatal survival ، Sheep production ، Colostrum management ، Umbilical disinfection