Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Lameness and Foot Health

Prevention and management of lameness in pigs, a common welfare problem in commercial farming systems.

Key Facts

Lameness is estimated to affect up to 20% of pigs in some production systems
Foot and leg problems are the leading reason for sow culling
Floor design including rough concrete and poorly maintained slats causes foot injuries
Genetic selection for leg conformation affects lameness prevalence significantly
Lameness scoring of breeding stock enables early identification and culling decisions

Welfare Considerations

Lameness causes chronic pain in pigs and is frequently underrecognised, making regular lameness scoring and prompt treatment a welfare priority.

What You Can Do

Advocate for lameness scoring as a mandatory welfare indicator in pig assurance
Support floor design standards that reduce foot injury in pig housing
Encourage genetic selection for leg conformation as a welfare trait