Foot Pad Dermatitis (FPD) is a significant welfare concern in the poultry industry, mainly in broiler chickens. Characterised by lesions and inflammation of the footpads, FPD affects the health, welfare, and productivity of broilers. While it can occur in broilers of all sizes, larger, fast-growing birds are more susceptible.

In this article, our National Technical Lead for Food Safety and Animal Welfare, Ester Benguerel, explains how FPD can be prevented to maintain effective food production.

FPD occurs when the skin on the broiler’s footpad becomes irritated, inflamed, and ulcerated, often due to prolonged contact with wet or contaminated litter. Lesions range from mild and superficial to deep ulcerations, and the wounds can lead to pain, reduced mobility, and susceptibility to secondary infections.

Severe cases of FPD are commonly accompanied with secondary infections. Staphylococcus Aureus and E. Coli can cause localised or systemic infection in poultry when skin barriers are compromised.

Image courtesy of Gancho Chakov

Preventing FPD requires focusing on maintaining environmental conditions, managing nutrition and ensuring adequate bird welfare, and it’s essential to understand the main factors that contribute to its development:

• Litter Quality: Poor litter, particularly when it is wet or overly compacted, is a major cause of FPD. Wet litter increases the exposure of the footpads to moisture and ammonia, which can irritate the skin.
• Nutrition: Poor dietary formulations can weaken the birds’ skin, making them more susceptible to lesions.
• Stocking Density: Overcrowding can lead to poor litter conditions, as more birds in a confined space increase moisture, waste, and ammonia levels.
• Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation contributes to high humidity, which exacerbates wet litter problems.
• Breed and Growth Rate: Fast-growing breeds and large broilers are more prone to FPD due to increased weight and pressure on the footpads.

Best Practices for Preventing FPD

Litter Management

Maintaining dry, clean litter is one of the most important steps in preventing FPD.

• Ensure adequate litter depth to absorb moisture and provide cushioning for the birds
• Turn the litter regularly to keep it dry and prevent it from becoming compacted
• Frequently remove areas of wet litter to prevent footpad exposure to moisture
• Choose high-quality and absorbent bedding materials.

Ventilation plays a critical role in controlling humidity and ammonia levels in the broiler house, which directly affect litter quality. Proper airflow removes excess moisture and helps keep the litter dry. High ammonia levels can irritate both the footpads and the respiratory system.

Stocking Density

Avoid overcrowding to prevent excessive moisture build-up in the litter. Overcrowding also limits the birds’ ability to move freely, forcing them to spend more time sitting in one place, which increases the risk of FPD.

Nutritional Management

A balanced diet is also important for maintaining healthy skin and preventing FPD; the skin’s integrity is directly influenced by the bird’s nutrition. Provide sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals, particularly biotin, zinc, and methionine, which are essential for maintaining skin health.

Water Management

Water spillage from drinkers can lead to wet litter, which is a primary cause of FPD.

Regularly check and maintain drinker systems to prevent leaks and overflows, and ensure water pressure is appropriate to avoid spillage while still providing birds with adequate hydration.

Monitoring and Early Detection

Regular monitoring of broiler foot health is essential for early detection and intervention. Routine inspections can help identify the first appearance of FPD and prevent it from becoming a severe issue.

Preventing Foot Pad Dermatitis in broilers requires a proactive approach. By focusing on proper litter management, optimising ventilation, ensuring balanced nutrition, and managing stocking density and water systems, poultry farmers can significantly reduce the risk of FPD. Early detection and prompt intervention are also crucial in preventing minor issues from escalating into serious welfare concerns. With diligent management, FPD can be minimised, leading to healthier broilers, improved welfare, and better economic outcomes for producers.

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