Lameness is one of the most prevalent and painful welfare conditions in commercial pig farming. Early detection, treatment, and prevention through flooring and genetics can dramatically reduce its welfare burden.
Pig lameness represents a significant and chronic welfare problem across commercial production systems. The pain of lameness — from hoof lesions, joint disease, or structural injury — impairs the pig's ability to access food, water, and comfortable resting areas, creating cascading welfare harms beyond the primary pain of the condition. Concrete slatted floors are a major contributing factor: hard, abrasive surfaces cause hoof lesions and joint stress that accumulate over the production cycle. Genetic selection for rapid muscle deposition has compromised leg conformation in many commercial lines. Regular assessment using validated lameness scoring tools, prompt veterinary treatment, and earlier identification of affected animals significantly reduce welfare duration. Longer-term solutions require flooring improvements, genetic selection for structural soundness, and production systems with more appropriate substrates.