Background: Lesions on sows' limbs and bodies are an abnormality that might impact on their welfare. The prevalence of and risks for limb and body lesions on lactating sows on commercial English pig farms were investigated using direct observation of the sows and their housing.

Background: In a cross sectional study of 88 indoor and outdoor English pig farms, the prevalence of foot and limb lesions in 2843 preweaning piglets aged 1-4 weeks from 304 litters was recorded. The environmental risks for the prevalence of lesions and population attributable fractions were calculated. The risks for lesions in piglets were compared with those for limb and body lesions in their mothers. A small number of piglets with each type of lesion were examined post mortem to elucidate the pathology of the clinical lesions observed.

HOUSING for pigs reared for meat has been revolutionised over the past 50 years, and modifications in flooring have been a key component of this change. While the introduction of slatted floors that do not require manual removal of soiled bedding and dung has reduced labour requirements and production costs, solid floors are still in use on some commercial farms in Britain, particularly in older or converted buildings, and are more common in Britain than in other European pig-producing countries. Floors in pig housing can impact on the health and welfare of pigs by affecting an animal's opportunity to engage in normal behaviour and increasing the risk of infectious disease and physical damage due to contact with the floor. This article highlights the impact of floor types on the prevalence of foot, limb and body lesions, and lameness in pigs, and provides typical examples of the pathology of some lesions.