Livestock

Sheep Welfare and Footrot Management

Footrot caused by Dichelobacter nodosus is the most prevalent lameness condition in UK sheep and causes significant chronic pain affecting mobility, feeding and welfare across all production systems.

Key Facts

Footrot affects an estimated 10% of UK ewes at any given time in susceptible flocks
Untreated footrot causes chronic pain that significantly reduces daily weight gain and reproduction
Treatment requires antibiotic footbathing or injection, a topical antibiotic spray and hoof paring
Vaccination with Footvax provides significant protection against virulent strains of the causative bacteria

Welfare Considerations

Footrot-related lameness is a major source of chronic pain in sheep that is substantially preventable. Flocks that implement vaccination, prompt treatment protocols and management to reduce wet conditions have dramatically lower lameness prevalence. The welfare, production and economic costs of footrot are all improved by a structured prevention programme.

What You Can Do

Implement a footrot vaccination programme with your vet to reduce flock lameness prevalence
Inspect all sheep for lameness at least fortnightly and treat promptly when detected
Maintain dry conditions in sacrifice paddocks and around feed stations to reduce infection risk
Record and benchmark lameness prevalence to track improvement in flock welfare outcomes