Foot conditions including digital dermatitis, footrot, and foot scald are among the most common welfare problems in UK sheep flocks, causing significant lameness and pain. Prevention and prompt treatment are welfare priorities.
Sheep foot welfare is closely linked to farm management systems: muddy gateways, high stocking around water troughs, and inadequate foot bathing maintenance all increase disease risk. The welfare cost of lameness is significant - sheep are prey animals that mask pain behavior, meaning visible lameness represents substantial underlying suffering. Practical welfare improvement involves scheduled mobility scoring (at least quarterly), prompt individual treatment, farmer training in footcare, and herd-level vaccination against footrot. Housing systems that allow foot inspection and treatment without excessive handling stress are also important.