21/03/2026
As abalimi abasafufusa there are some major factors or problems that we need to look at so we can reduce the number of deaths in lambs and kids ( goat lambs).
Starvation, Mismothering, and Exposure (SME Complex)
These is arguably the most common cause of lamb death.
Starvation: Occurs when lambs do not consume enough colostrum within the first 2–3 hours of birth, leading to critical energy depletion. It is often caused by poor nutrition of the ewe in late gestation, resulting in low milk production and weak lambs.
Exposure: Lambs lose heat rapidly in cold, wet, and windy conditions.
Mismothering: Young or inexperienced ewes may abandon, reject, or fail to find their lambs, leading to starvation.
Predation: While sometimes overstated, predators (dogs, jackals, birds of prey) are a significant cause of mortality, particularly in rural or extensive grazing systems.
