Broiler Litter Quality and Footpad Health

Litter quality in broiler chicken houses is a critical determinant of footpad dermatitis, hock burns, and breast blisters — painful contact lesions that affect welfare and serve as key indicators in welfare audit schemes.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is caused by prolonged contact with wet, ammonia-laden litter and affects up to 80% of broilers in poorly managed houses
FPD ranges from mild surface discoloration to deep painful ulcers that impair walking and normal behaviour
Hock burns and breast blisters similarly result from contact with wet litter and indicate welfare problems at the housing level
Litter moisture is the primary driver: ventilation, drinker management, stocking density, and litter type all affect moisture levels
FPD scoring at slaughter is used as a welfare audit metric in several European countries, linking farm performance to payment systems
High stocking densities limit broiler movement and increase litter contamination, creating a compounding welfare problem
Dry litter maintained at under 30% moisture content dramatically reduces FPD prevalence even at moderate stocking densities

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis is among the most prevalent welfare problems in commercial broiler production globally. At its most severe, FPD causes open ulcers that are painful with every step, reducing activity, feed access, and quality of life for affected birds. Because it is caused by management decisions rather than infectious agents, FPD is largely preventable. Farmers who invest in high-quality ventilation systems, nipple drinkers with drip catchers, appropriate litter materials, and lower stocking densities see dramatically lower FPD rates. Linking slaughter-line FPD scores to farm payments — as implemented in several Scandinavian countries — creates a financial incentive for continuous welfare improvement that has proven highly effective.

What You Can Do

Support welfare labelling schemes that include broiler litter quality and FPD scores as consumer information
Ask retailers about footpad dermatitis monitoring in their chicken supply chains
Advocate for maximum stocking density regulations that allow adequate litter management in broiler houses
Donate to organisations campaigning for mandatory FPD scoring linked to farm payment systems
Choose chicken certified to RSPCA Assured, Better Chicken Commitment, or equivalent standards