Sheep Lameness Detection and Treatment: A Priority Welfare Issue

Lameness is the most significant welfare problem in UK sheep farming, affecting an estimated 3-8% of ewes at any time, yet it remains undertreated in many flocks due to under-recognition and barriers to effective management.

Key Facts

Lameness affects an estimated 3-8% of ewes in UK sheep flocks at any one time
Footrot caused by the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus accounts for approximately 80% of sheep lameness cases
Lame sheep lose body condition at twice the rate of sound sheep and have significantly impaired reproductive performance
The five-point plan developed by AHDB reduces lameness prevalence by 50-80% in farms that implement it fully
Farmer recognition of lameness is often delayed because sheep mask pain as a prey species
Early treatment within 3 days of onset is three times more effective than treatment delayed beyond 7 days

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness causes prolonged suffering that is often invisible because sheep are stoic and maintain normal group behaviour even when significantly lame. The welfare impact is compounded by delayed detection, delayed treatment once detected, and undertreated chronic cases that persist through multiple seasons. Evidence-based lameness management using the five-point plan — culling chronically lame ewes, prompt treatment, footbathing, avoiding housing on hard surfaces, and breeding for foot health — has been shown to reduce prevalence dramatically while improving farm productivity. The welfare and economic cases for lameness management are perfectly aligned.

What You Can Do

Support farm advisory services and assurance programmes that make sheep lameness management a core requirement
Advocate for sheep lameness prevalence targets to be included in farm assurance certification criteria
Encourage sheep farmers to engage with the five-point lameness plan through agricultural extension networks
Choose lamb products from farms with documented lameness management programmes where sourcing information is available