A simple system for recording lamb mortality used to improve flock management

Many commercial sheep farmers do not record either the extent or the causes of their lamb losses but this information is essential if losses are to be reduced in the future. The major causes of death in newborn lambs are reviewed together with the common predisposing factors. The development and practical application of a simple system for recording lamb deaths is described. It is concluded that the application of this type of system, initiated, supervised and interpreted by the farmer's own veterinary surgeon, would indicate how to reduce the losses of lambs and would be a useful component of any flock health scheme.