New Insight into the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Three Distinct Hoof Conformation Traits in UK Commercial Sheep...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Health
• Sheep Production

Background:

• Lameness in sheep is a significant global concern impacting animal welfare and farm economics.
• Damaged, misshapen, or overgrown sheep hooves are primary causes of lameness.
• Predisposing factors for specific hoof conformation traits in sheep are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of three distinct hoof conformation traits in sheep.
• To identify risk factors associated with sole/heel, hoof wall, and hoof overgrowth traits.
• To provide insights into the multifactorial causes of sheep hoof conformation.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory study involving 400 ewes across four UK commercial sheep farms.
• Hoof inspections conducted at four time points over a 12-month period.
• A four-point ordinal scoring system used for individual claws and calculated foot-level scores.

Main Results:

• Over 92% of observed sheep feet exhibited at least one hoof conformation trait.
• While correlated, each conformation trait had unique associated sheep-, foot-, and farm-level factors.
• The study identified key insights into the complex etiology of hoof conformation.

Conclusions:

• Hoof conformation traits are highly prevalent in commercial sheep flocks.
• Multiple factors contribute to the development of adverse hoof conformation.
• Results form a basis for future research into preventing hoof problems in sheep.