Lameness is one of the most significant welfare problems in sheep production globally, affecting up to 10% of sheep in commercial flocks and causing chronic pain that reduces growth, reproductive performance, and wellbeing.
Sheep lameness imposes chronic pain on a large proportion of commercial flocks and is under-treated due to the practical challenges of identifying and catching lame sheep in large outdoor flocks, and the perception that lameness is a normal production cost. The welfare case for systematic lameness management is compelling: lameness causes prolonged pain, reduces welfare indicators across multiple domains, and is preventable and treatable with existing tools. Best practice combines regular flock observation (lameness scoring twice weekly), prompt treatment of affected individuals within 3 days, footbathing to reduce infection pressure, vaccination against footrot where appropriate, and selective culling of chronically lame animals who do not respond to treatment. The economic costs of lameness — reduced growth, reproductive failure, treatment costs — also provide a production incentive for better welfare management.