Farm Animals

Broiler Chicken Footpad Dermatitis

Footpad dermatitis affects a majority of commercial broilers and is a recognized indicator of poor litter and welfare management.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects 60-80% of commercial broilers in some studies
Wet, ammonia-rich litter is the primary cause
Severe dermatitis causes lameness and chronic pain in affected birds
Scoring footpads at slaughter provides a retrospective welfare indicator

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis is a preventable condition that causes chronic pain in billions of chickens globally. Its prevalence is a direct reflection of litter management quality. Scoring systems that link dermatitis rates to farm management changes offer a practical path to welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from certified higher welfare systems
Support footpad scoring as a mandatory welfare indicator in poultry audits
Advocate for maximum permissible dermatitis thresholds in welfare standards
Reduce consumption of conventionally raised chicken products