Which season is most commonly associated with lambing?

Lambing is most commonly associated with spring due to several important factors related to sheep breeding and the environmental conditions during that time. During spring, the weather begins to warm up, providing a more favorable climate for the newborn lambs, which are particularly vulnerable to cold and harsh weather conditions.

Additionally, sheep are often bred in the fall, allowing a gestation period of approximately five months, which aligns perfectly with spring lambing. This timing ensures that lambs are born when there is an abundance of fresh forage, which is essential for the lactating ewes, ensuring that they can produce enough milk to nourish their young. It also provides plentiful nutrition for the growing lambs as they start to graze on pasture.

In contrast, lambing in winter would pose significant risks of exposure to cold temperatures and potentially harsh weather, while summer lambing could coincide with heat stress. Autumn lambing may not provide the same availability of nutritious pasture and could lead to challenges with managing the ewes and lambs through winter after birth. Therefore, spring is ideal for the health and survival of both ewes and their lambs.