Sheep don’t inherently “dislike” winter lambs; the issue is that winter-born lambs are more vulnerable to cold stress, hypothermia, starvation, and dehydration if they’re not well protected or fed soon after birth. In some real-world farming setups, ewes or flock mates may reject weaker or out-of- season lambs, especially if the lamb is small, cold, or not thriving.

Why it happens

  • Newborn lambs lose body heat very fast, especially when they’re wet, windy, or exposed.
  • A ewe may be more likely to reject a lamb that is weak, late-born, or not keeping up with the flock.
  • In many farming systems, winter lambing is actually chosen on purpose because it can reduce parasites and line up with pasture growth later in the season.

The practical reality

A sheep’s behavior is usually about instinct and survival , not “preference.” If a lamb is cold, weak, or separated, the mother may fail to bond well or the flock may leave it behind, which can be deadly without human help.

In simple terms

The phrase is a bit misleading: sheep do not hate winter lambs as a concept. What matters is whether the lamb is born into conditions that let it warm up, nurse, and stay with its mother quickly.

Bottom line: winter lambs can be fine, but they need better protection and faster care than lambs born in milder conditions.
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