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🐷 Sow Lameness Welfare

Lameness in Sows — A Welfare Priority

Sow lameness represents one of the most significant welfare problems in pig production. Unlike finishing pigs that reach slaughter at 5–6 months, breeding sows may live for 3–4 years. Lameness can persist for months before culling, during which time chronic pain significantly impairs welfare. Lame sows show reduced activity, difficulty accessing food and water, compromised reproductive performance, and behaviour consistent with pain.

Causes of Sow Lameness

Claw Lesions and Foot Problems

The most common cause of sow lameness. Types include:

• Sole ulcers: Erosion of the sole horn, exposing sensitive laminae — painful and prone to infection
• White line disease: Separation at the junction of wall and sole horn, allowing entry of debris and bacteria
• Heel erosion: Wearing away of the heel pad, particularly in sows on concrete without adequate bedding
• Overgrown claws: Particularly in gestating sows that cannot wear claws normally on soft substrate

Joint Disease

Osteochondrosis (OC) — a developmental bone disease — is highly heritable and extremely common in commercial pigs. OC affects particularly the elbow, stifle, and hock joints, causing progressive cartilage damage and lameness that typically manifests at 6–18 months of age. Selection pressure for rapid growth has inadvertently increased OC prevalence.

Floor and Housing-Related Causes

• Fully slatted concrete floors cause abrasion of claw horn and heel pads
• Slippery floors cause falls and joint injuries
• Insufficient space causes abnormal postures and gait patterns
• Individual gestation stalls prevent normal exercise, weakening musculoskeletal systems

Prevention

Genetic Selection

Selecting gilts and boars with good leg conformation and low OC scores is the most effective long-term prevention strategy. Leg conformation scoring should be part of gilt selection criteria. Breeding companies are increasingly publishing OC data and conformational scores.

Floor Design

• Partial slatted floors with bedded lying areas reduce claw abrasion
• Non-slip coatings or grooved concrete on walkways reduce fall injuries
• Comfortable lying areas allow sows to lie in correct positions and rise without injury
• Rubber matting over concrete in high-traffic areas reduces claw wear

Gilt Preparation

Correct gilt management before entry to the breeding herd:

• Maintain healthy, not excessive, growth rate during development
• Ensure gilts have adequate exercise during development
• Select gilts with good leg conformation — reject gilts with weak pasterns, bow legs, or difficulty walking

Treatment and Management

Identifying Lame Sows

Regular mobility scoring (at least monthly in group sow housing) identifies lame sows before lameness becomes severe:

• Score 0: Normal gait
• Score 1: Slight lameness, irregular gait
• Score 2: Moderate lameness, obvious asymmetry
• Score 3: Severe lameness, minimal weight bearing — requires immediate intervention

Treatment

• NSAIDs (meloxicam, ketoprofen) provide significant pain relief — MUST be used for lame sows, not optional
• Foot trimming for overgrown claws and sole lesions — requires training
• Antibiotic treatment for infected foot lesions under veterinary direction
• Separate lame sows to reduce competition for resources