Farm Animals

Broiler Chicken Footpad Dermatitis Scoring

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is a painful condition in broilers caused by wet litter, and scoring at slaughter is used as a flock-level welfare indicator.

Key Facts

FPD affects up to 80% of broilers in poorly managed litter conditions
Scoring is performed on a 0-4 scale at slaughter line for welfare monitoring
Wet litter from drinker leaks or high stocking density is the primary cause
Severe FPD (score 3-4) causes pain and lameness impacting daily behaviour
EU regulations use FPD scores as welfare indicators for flock management decisions

Welfare Considerations

FPD represents preventable suffering for millions of birds. Litter management is the most effective intervention and should be a routine priority.

What You Can Do

Monitor and maintain dry litter through regular management
Fix drinker leaks and adjust water pressure to reduce spill
Use FPD scoring data to trigger management interventions
Support slaughterhouse welfare monitoring programmes