Farm Animals

Poultry Litter Quality: Footpad Welfare and Management

Footpad dermatitis in broiler and turkey flocks is a direct indicator of litter quality and a significant welfare problem.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) scores are used as a welfare indicator in EU poultry abattoir monitoring
Wet litter caused by high stocking density or poor ventilation is the primary cause
FPD causes painful lesions that become infected and impair walking
Straw-based litter and reduced stocking density consistently reduce FPD prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Footpad lesions are painful and progressive. Monitoring FPD scores at slaughter creates direct welfare feedback for farms. Improving ventilation, reducing stocking density, and providing absorbent litter materials reduce the prevalence of this painful condition.

What You Can Do

Support EU-style FPD monitoring at slaughter as a welfare feedback mechanism
Choose poultry from certified higher welfare schemes with documented FPD performance
Advocate for mandatory FPD reporting linked to farm improvement requirements