Sheep Lameness and Foot Care Welfare

Lameness is the most common welfare problem in sheep globally, causing chronic pain in millions of animals with inadequate treatment rates.

Key Facts

An estimated 8-10% of sheep in the UK are lame at any given time in conventional flocks
Footrot and foot scald are the leading causes of sheep lameness and are highly contagious within flocks
Lame sheep lose body weight, have reduced wool growth, and show behavioral indicators of pain
Treatment with zinc sulfate foot baths and prompt identification and antibiotic treatment of footrot reduces lameness
The AHDB Five Point Plan for lameness control has been shown to reduce prevalence below 2% when implemented

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness is a chronic, painful condition that affects millions of animals globally yet receives less welfare attention than lameness in cattle or horses, partly because sheep are stoic animals that mask pain effectively. Lame sheep continue to graze and move with the flock despite experiencing significant discomfort. Effective prevention and treatment programs exist and have demonstrated dramatic reductions in lameness prevalence when systematically implemented. The gap between current prevalence and what is achievable represents one of the most tractable welfare improvements available in sheep farming.

What You Can Do

Support certification programs that include lameness monitoring and treatment protocols for sheep farms
Advocate for sheep welfare guidelines that include lameness targets and monitoring requirements
Choose lamb and wool products from farms with verified lameness control programs
Learn about the Five Point Sheep Lameness Plan as a model for effective welfare management