Farm Animals

Poultry Litter Management and Footpad Welfare

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broilers and turkeys is strongly linked to litter quality; management improvements significantly reduce this painful condition.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects up to 80% of birds in poorly managed flocks
FPD is caused by wet, ammonia-rich litter contact causing skin breakdown
Litter management interventions include moisture control, ventilation, and stocking density
FPD scoring at slaughter is used as a welfare monitoring tool in several countries
Early intervention when FPD is detected can reverse early-stage lesions

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis represents one of the most common and painful welfare problems in commercial poultry, caused primarily by management failures in litter quality. The close link between FPD severity and litter management means this is a highly preventable condition. Mandatory slaughterhouse scoring and feedback to producers is proven to drive welfare improvements.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare certification schemes including FPD monitoring
Ask chicken producers about their footpad dermatitis monitoring and control
Advocate for mandatory FPD slaughterhouse scoring and producer feedback
Reduce broiler consumption or shift to higher-welfare certified products
Support research into litter management and FPD prevention