Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Footpad Dermatitis Scoring Systems

Footpad dermatitis scoring is a validated welfare audit tool used at slaughter to assess litter quality and management on broiler farms.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects up to 80% of birds in poor-litter conditions
Scoring systems use a 0-4 scale from no lesion to severe necrosis
EU regulations require monitoring and action thresholds for scores
Wet litter from poor ventilation is the primary cause of lesions
Footpad lesions cause pain and impair normal walking behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis is both painful and preventable. Scoring at slaughter provides objective, population-level welfare data that can drive farm-level improvements in ventilation, stocking density, and drinker management - all of which directly reduce bird suffering.

What You Can Do

Support broiler welfare certification requiring footpad scoring
Advocate for slaughter-point monitoring data to be shared with farms
Choose welfare-certified chicken products when shopping