Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Footpad Dermatitis Scoring

Footpad dermatitis is a widespread welfare and health issue in commercial broiler chickens linked to litter quality and management.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects a significant proportion of commercial broilers globally
Lesion scoring at slaughter is used as a welfare indicator at flock level
Litter moisture is the primary risk factor for footpad lesion development
Poor ventilation, high stocking density, and wet drinkers all increase risk
Feed formulation can influence the moisture content of droppings and hence litter quality

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes pain and lameness in affected birds, reducing their ability to access feed and water and compromising their quality of life. Regular in-house scoring and slaughterhouse feedback loops enable farmers to identify and address risk factors before lesions become severe.

What You Can Do

Support retailers who source broilers with monitored footpad dermatitis scores
Advocate for mandatory slaughterhouse feedback to farms on footpad lesion prevalence
Encourage nutritional strategies that reduce litter moisture in broiler sheds