Poultry Welfare

Footpad Dermatitis in Broiler Chickens

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is a painful and prevalent condition in broiler chickens caused by contact with wet litter.

Key Facts

FPD affects 80-90% of commercial broiler flocks to varying degrees in Europe
Severe FPD involves deep ulceration, necrosis, and secondary infection causing significant lameness
EU regulations now require FPD monitoring and require action when prevalence exceeds thresholds
Wet litter from overdrinking, leaking drinkers, and high stocking density are primary causes
Breed selection influences FPD susceptibility with slower-growing breeds having lower prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes chronic pain and impairs locomotion in broiler chickens. Even mild lesions cause discomfort and avoidance of wet areas. Severe lesions involve open wounds that are painful and prone to infection. FPD is largely preventable through good litter management, appropriate drinker design, proper ventilation, and lower stocking densities. Monitoring and public reporting of FPD prevalence at slaughter provides accountability for farm welfare standards.

What You Can Do

Check FPD monitoring data for retailers when it is publicly available
Support campaigns for mandatory FPD reporting and farm-level consequences
Choose chicken from slower-growing breed or free-range production systems
Advocate for lower stocking density limits in broiler welfare regulations