Broiler litter quality is one of the most important determinants of bird welfare in commercial poultry production, with wet litter directly causing footpad dermatitis, hock burns, and breast blisters that affect most conventionally reared birds.
Footpad dermatitis causes contact dermatitis lesions ranging from mild discoloration to deep ulceration of the footpad tissue. Mild lesions cause discomfort; severe lesions cause pain that measurably alters gait and reduces feed intake. Given the prevalence of the condition, footpad dermatitis represents one of the most widespread welfare problems in commercial broiler production measured by total animal numbers affected. The condition is largely preventable through management practices that maintain dry litter quality: appropriate ventilation design, controlled stocking density, nipple drinker leak prevention, and appropriate litter depth. Abattoir-level footpad scoring provides meaningful population-level welfare data, enabling regulators and retailers to identify and improve farms with consistently poor outcomes.