Farm Animals

Poultry Litter Management and Footpad Welfare

The relationship between litter quality in poultry housing and footpad dermatitis, a key welfare indicator.

Key Facts

Footpad dermatitis affects up to 80% of intensively farmed broilers in some systems
Wet litter is the primary cause of footpad lesions
Ventilation, stocking density, and drinker management all affect litter quality
Footpad scoring is mandatory in many European countries as a welfare measure
Good litter management also reduces ammonia, benefiting respiratory health

Welfare Considerations

Footpad dermatitis causes chronic pain and significantly reduces bird welfare, making litter management one of the most important welfare interventions in poultry.

What You Can Do

Support farms with good footpad scoring records
Advocate for litter quality standards in poultry welfare legislation
Choose poultry products certified under schemes with footpad welfare requirements