Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Broiler: Footpad Dermatitis Scoring

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) scoring at slaughter is a key welfare indicator used to assess litter quality and management across broiler production systems.

Key Facts

FPD is caused by prolonged contact between foot skin and wet, ammonia-laden litter
Scoring ranges from 0 (no lesions) to 2 (severe ulcerative lesions)
EU legislation requires action plans when FPD prevalence exceeds threshold levels
FPD scores correlate strongly with litter moisture content and management practices
Higher welfare standards including lower stocking density are associated with lower FPD prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes pain through skin ulceration affecting the bird's ability to walk and access food and water. Severe FPD impairs welfare significantly in a species that spends much of its time standing. Slaughter-line scoring provides objective, large-scale data that links on-farm management to welfare outcomes, making it one of the most valuable welfare monitoring tools in poultry production.

What You Can Do

Review FPD data from your processing plant and compare against benchmarks
Implement litter management practices to reduce moisture content
Reduce stocking density in houses with persistent high FPD scores
Ensure adequate ventilation to remove moisture and reduce ammonia
Choose poultry products from schemes requiring FPD monitoring and action plans