Broiler Litter Management: Footpad Dermatitis and Welfare Standards

Litter quality in broiler sheds directly determines footpad dermatitis prevalence, making litter management a critical and measurable welfare indicator in commercial poultry production.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is caused by contact with wet, ammonia-rich litter, causing painful ulcerative lesions on the plantar surface of broiler feet
FPD prevalence in conventional broiler flocks ranges from 20-80% depending on management quality and breed
It is now used as a mandatory welfare indicator at slaughter in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK — high FPD scores trigger farm audits
Poor litter quality is caused by drinker leakage, high stocking density, inadequate ventilation, and enteric disease causing wet droppings
Slower-growing breeds and lower stocking densities significantly reduce FPD prevalence
Scoring FPD at slaughter provides objective, measurable feedback to farmers on the welfare outcomes achieved during the production cycle

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes genuine pain in affected broilers. Lesions range from mild discolouration to deep, ulcerative wounds that compromise locomotion and cause chronic pain during every step. Lame birds access food and water less, reducing growth and welfare further. The condition is almost entirely preventable through good litter management — maintaining dry, friable litter by controlling drinker settings, ventilation, stocking density, and bird health. The use of FPD scoring at slaughter as a welfare feedback mechanism is a significant policy innovation: it creates a direct link between on-farm management and a welfare outcome that is transparent and traceable. Slaughter plants that enforce FPD scoring create incentives for welfare improvement across the supply chain.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from producers who participate in FPD monitoring programmes with publicly reported scores
Support the expansion of mandatory FPD scoring at slaughter as a welfare assurance tool in your country
Ask retailers about FPD scores in their poultry supply chains and request disclosure of welfare outcome data
Support the Better Chicken Commitment's requirements for slower-growing breeds and lower stocking density that reduce FPD risk
Reduce chicken consumption or choose higher-welfare certified products to reward producers achieving better welfare outcomes