Sheep Lameness and Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Lameness is the most prevalent welfare problem in sheep flocks globally, causing chronic pain and significantly reducing quality of life.

Key Facts

Lameness affects approximately 10% of sheep in UK flocks at any given time
Footrot and scald are the leading causes of sheep lameness worldwide
Each lame sheep loses an estimated 10-15% of body weight from pain-induced reduced grazing
Five-point lameness scoring systems allow farmers to identify and treat lame sheep early
Lameness in ewes at lambing significantly reduces lamb survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness represents one of the most prevalent and undertreated welfare problems in livestock farming. The stoic nature of sheep - a prey species that masks pain to avoid predator attention - means lameness is frequently underestimated and undertreated by farmers. Effective footrot and scald management programs combining prompt treatment, flock monitoring, and vaccination can reduce lameness prevalence dramatically. The welfare case for proactive lameness management is clear: chronic lame sheep experience significant pain 24 hours a day for weeks or months if untreated.

What You Can Do

Support farm assurance programs requiring routine lameness monitoring
Advocate for farmer training in sheep lameness recognition and treatment
Choose lamb and wool from farms with documented lameness management protocols
Support research into more effective and accessible sheep lameness treatments
Donate to farm animal welfare organizations working on livestock pain management