Lameness is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in sheep, causing chronic pain and significant production losses. Systematic prevention and prompt treatment are the cornerstones of flock welfare.
Sheep lameness causes significant chronic pain that profoundly affects welfare through reduced mobility, feeding ability, and social behaviour. Lame sheep spend more time lying down, eat less, and have impaired reproductive performance. Despite the prevalence and welfare significance of the problem, lameness in sheep is frequently undertreated due to the practical challenges of handling large flocks and the perception that individual treatment is uneconomic. Research consistently shows that prompt treatment is both more welfare-appropriate and more economically efficient than delayed treatment as it reduces recovery time and prevents chronic cases. The Five Point Plan provides farmers with practical, evidence-based guidance on prevention, early detection, prompt treatment, culling of non-responders, and footrot vaccination.