Livestock

Broiler Chicken Welfare: Litter Substrate and Foot Health

The quality of litter substrate in broiler sheds has major effects on foot pad health, leg function, and overall welfare.

Key Facts

Wet or compacted litter causes foot pad dermatitis in broilers
Foot pad dermatitis affects up to 80% of birds in poor conditions
Wood shavings and straw are common substrates with different properties
EU welfare regulations set foot pad dermatitis scoring thresholds
Good litter management reduces ammonia and bacterial contamination

Welfare Considerations

Foot pad dermatitis causes pain, lameness, and reluctance to move to feed and water. Affected birds show reduced walking, compromised behaviour, and weight gain penalties. Ammonia from wet litter also damages respiratory tracts and eyes. Maintaining dry, friable litter is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available in broiler production.

What You Can Do

Support chicken welfare standards that include litter quality requirements
Choose higher-welfare chicken from producers audited for foot health
Advocate for mandatory foot pad dermatitis scoring and reporting
Back research into optimal litter substrates for broiler welfare
Encourage retailers to source only from verified higher-welfare flocks