Effect of litter quality on foot pad dermatitis, hock burns and breast blisters in broiler breeders during the production period

Abstract

Foot pad dermatitis and hock burn lesions are a form of contact dermatitis, a condition affecting skin areas in contact with unsuitable or irritating material. Contact dermatitis is a common problem, reducing the welfare of broilers, and is believed to also affect broiler breeders. However, there is very little research on contact dermatitis in breeders. This study followed the severity of foot pad lesions in broiler breeders throughout the production period. At slaughter the presence of hock burns and breast blisters was also determined. In addition, changes in litter condition over time and the impact of litter quality on foot pads were evaluated. The study was performed on 10 broiler breeder farms, including altogether 18 flocks. Foot pads of 100 hens per flock were assessed at the end of rearing period, three times during the production period, and at slaughter. Foot pad and hock lesions, as well as litter condition were scored on a 5-point scale. Litter quality was evaluated as pH, moisture and ammonia content. The condition of foot pads deteriorated towards slaughter age, with the occurrence of severe lesions reaching a maximum of 64% on average at slaughter. Hock lesions and breast blisters were rare. The litter layer became drier over time. Although poorer litter condition and wetness influenced foot pad health negatively, the effect on severe lesions was not significant. We also observed a negative effect on foot pad condition of larger slat areas. In conclusion, maintaining good litter quality alone is not enough to ensure healthy foot pads in broiler breeders.

Broiler-Housing Conditions Affect the Performance

“…A poor ventilation system is probably related to bad litter quality which is in turn related to foot pad dermatitis (Martrenchar et al, 2002), disease that prejudice the welfare and performance of the birds (Kaukonen et al, 2016).…”

How Are Information Technologies Addressing Broiler Welfare? A Systematic Review Based on the Welfare Quality® Assessment

“…This can be explained by a possible interest of scientists in addressing leg abnormalities. Locomotor problems in broilers are often correlated with litter quality [84][85][86][87][88][89][90], since the ammonia excreted by the animals can provoke lesions in their feet. Additionally, they can be consequence of the high growth rate of animals [91][92][93][94] and of the increasing genetic selection for heavier major pectoralis muscle [56,65,95].…”

High levels of contact dermatitis and decreased mobility in broiler breeders, but neither have a relationship with floor eggs

“…The incidence of foot pad dermatitis in fast-growing broiler flocks has been found to be up to 65% at slaughter age, whereas the incidence of severe hock burn at this age can be as high as 41% ( Haslam et al., 2007 , de Jong et al., 2012 , Bassler et al., 2013 ). Limited research has been done on the prevalence of contact dermatitis in broiler breeders, but it seems that this condition is also prevalent in the parent stock ( Wolanski et al., 2004 , Renema et al., 2007 , Kaukonen et al., 2016 ).…”