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The research investigates lamb survival rates relative to genetic factors and farmer-assigned causes of death.

April 13, 2026Animal - Open SpaceOpen Access

A genetic analysis of lamb survival to different time points and reasons for lamb death

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Study examines lamb survival at different ages, revealing insights for genetic improvement in sheep farming.

The research investigates lamb survival rates relative to genetic factors and farmer-assigned causes of death.
Analyzed lamb survival rates at 48 hours, 8 weeks, and ultrasound scanning (∼125 days).
Evaluated farmer-assigned causes of death, including dystocia, starvation due to mismothering, and stillbirth.
Calculated direct and maternal heritability for survival and causes of death.
Direct heritability for lamb survival was low: 0.03 at 48 h, 0.01 at 8 weeks, and 0.01 at scanning.
Maternal heritability was 0.05 across all time points.
Significant maternal heritabilities for causes of death: 0.10 for dystocia, 0.02 for starvation due to mismothering, and 0.06 for stillbirth.

Hay et al. (2026) studied this question.

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