Lameness is the most common welfare problem in sheep flocks, caused primarily by footrot and foot scald, and is both preventable and treatable.
Sheep lameness represents a major welfare burden in commercial flocks because the stoic nature of sheep combined with large flock sizes and infrequent individual examination allows lameness to go undetected and untreated for extended periods. A sheep with footrot experiences severe pain from the bacterial destruction of hoof tissue, manifesting as inability to bear weight, kneeling to graze, and significant body condition loss as feeding becomes too painful. The inflammatory cytokines produced by severe infection cause systemic effects beyond local pain. Under the current legal framework in the UK, sheep lame for more than 3 days must receive treatment, a standard that requires regular flock observation. Lameness scoring walkthrough assessments at least monthly allows early detection and treatment before chronicity develops. Culling policy for animals with repeated lameness reduces pathogen reservoir while improving welfare for chronically affected individuals who respond poorly to treatment.