Farm Animals

Sheep Welfare and Lameness Prevention

Lameness is a major welfare problem in sheep that causes chronic pain and is often inadequately managed.

Key Facts

Footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis are the most common causes of sheep lameness
Lame sheep show reduced grazing time, weight loss, and behavioral changes indicating chronic pain
Prevalence studies find 5-10% of sheep in UK flocks lame at any given time
Prompt treatment within 3 days of onset significantly improves outcomes and reduces suffering duration
Flock health planning and regular monitoring can reduce lameness prevalence below 2%

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness causes prolonged suffering that is frequently undertreated due to the large flock sizes making individual identification difficult. A lame sheep loses condition, struggles to compete for feed, and experiences continuous pain from infected foot tissue. Systematic lameness monitoring, prompt treatment when cases are identified, and flock health planning to prevent transmission represent the evidence-based approach to reducing this significant welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Support sheep producers implementing active lameness monitoring and treatment protocols
Choose lamb and wool from farms with published lameness management programs
Advocate for lameness prevalence benchmarks in sheep welfare standards and certifications
Support research into footrot vaccines and improved treatment protocols for sheep lameness
Learn about sheep behavior and signs of lameness to inform purchasing and advocacy decisions