How litter quality, stocking density, and management practices affect the prevalence of painful footpad lesions in meat chickens.
Footpad dermatitis is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in commercial poultry production. Birds with severe lesions show altered gait, reduced access to feeders and drinkers, and behavioral signs of pain. The condition is largely preventable through good management and is increasingly used as a key performance indicator in welfare audits. Yet high prevalence remains common, indicating that economic pressures continue to override welfare considerations in many systems.