Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Litter Quality and Footpad Welfare

Litter quality in broiler houses directly affects footpad health and is a key indicator of flock welfare and management standards.

Key Facts

Wet or caked litter causes footpad dermatitis, a painful lesion scored at slaughter
Footpad dermatitis affects up to 80% of flocks under poor conditions
Good litter management includes moisture control, ventilation, and density limits
Footpad scoring at slaughter provides welfare feedback to farmers
Legislative requirements for footpad scoring exist in several EU countries

Welfare Considerations

Footpad lesions cause chronic pain and impair mobility; litter management is one of the most controllable factors in broiler welfare.

What You Can Do

Support broiler welfare certification schemes that monitor footpad health
Advocate for mandatory footpad scoring and farm feedback systems
Choose chicken products from welfare-certified farms