Farm Animals

Poultry Litter Management and Footpad Welfare

The quality of litter in poultry houses directly affects footpad health — wet, ammonia-rich litter causes painful hock burns and footpad dermatitis that affect the majority of commercial broilers in poorly managed systems.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects up to 80% of broilers in poorly managed litter conditions
Wet litter contains high ammonia concentrations that chemically burn foot and hock tissue
Litter quality is primarily driven by ventilation, stocking density, and water management
EU poultry welfare regulations now require footpad scoring at slaughter as a welfare indicator
Farms with low footpad dermatitis scores have better overall welfare and comparable production costs

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes painful lesions that impair mobility and increase time spent resting, worsening contact dermatitis in a self-reinforcing cycle. Birds with severe footpad lesions show reduced activity and feeding behavior consistent with pain. The condition is largely preventable through litter management — making it a welfare indicator that reflects the quality of farm husbandry directly and measurably.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from farms with certified low footpad dermatitis scores
Support regulatory schemes requiring footpad scoring at slaughter
Advocate for stocking density limits that allow adequate litter quality maintenance
Raise awareness about footpad dermatitis as a key welfare indicator
Donate to poultry welfare research on litter management best practices