Influence of bedding material on footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens

Abstract

Bedding availability issues are arising rapidly in the broiler industry that may alter the type and quality of bedding available to growers to rear broiler chickens. Because birds are in direct contact with the litter, the potential impact of bedding materials on footpad health is of concern. In 3 successive trials, 8 different bedding sources (pine shavings, pine bark, chipped pine, mortar sand, ground hardwood pallets, chopped straw, ground door filler, and cotton-gin trash) were compared in side-by-side experimental pens by rearing mixed-sex birds. In addition to broiler growth performance and litter characteristics (moisture, caking, and ammonia volatilization), the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis (FPD) was assessed at 6 wk of age. Bedding materials had little influence on the live performance of broilers in 3 successive trials. Prevalence of FPD varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the bedding materials. The incidence of FPD paralleled high litter moisture and caking scores, with chipped pine, chopped straw, cotton-gin trash, and pine shavings showing the highest severity scores and mortar sand and ground door filler showing the lowest. From an FPD etiology standpoint, the ability of the bedding to absorb (i.e., ground door filler) and quickly release (i.e., mortar sand) moisture may be the most important characteristics.

Selecting the most adequate bedding material for broiler production in Brazil

“…Managing litter moisture is challenging in reused litter, especially during the last weeks of the growout. The important factors that influence moisture in the rearing environment include short downtimes between flocks, partial-house brooding, evaporative cooling systems, and poor drinking water management (Bilgili et al, 2009). Health issues and the incidence of breast burns and blisters, leg abnormalities, and footpad lesions are reported in the literature as partially due to poor litter conditions (Benabdewelil & Ayach, 1996).…”

“…The sustainability of broiler production requires bedding material to be environmentally friendly, and the replacement of litter needs to be efficient and cost-effective in order to be implemented by growers in a profitable way (Mayne et al, 2007;Bilgili et al, 2009). This requires the availability of alternative bedding sources, as well as good understanding of how to reduce NH 3 emissions in reused litter.…”

Incidence of Pododermatitis in Broiler Reared under Two Types of Environment

“…Substrates with sharp edges or chips may increase the prevalence and the severity of pododermatitis as a direct result of their abrasive action on the footpad. The function of the litter is to protect broilers' feet, minimizing the impact of the contact of the footpad with the floor (Bilgili et al, 2009). According to Refatti et al (2009), woodshavings litter caused a higher incidence of footpad lesions than sawdust.…”

“…Dawkins et al (2004) found that the presence of ammonia and moist litter deteriorate broiler health. The capacity of moisture absorption is one of the important features when choosing a litter substrate (Bilgili et al, 2009).…”

“…The disease is called footpad dermatitis and/or contact dermatitis and refers to inflammation of the birds' feet resulting in necrotic lesions of the plantar surface. The lesions may be severe and cause pain, hindering birds to move freely around the house, negatively affecting their welfare (Schmidt & Luders, 1976;Greene et al, 1985;Ekstrand et al, 1998;Martrenchar et al, 2002;Dawkins et al, 2004;Bilgili et al, 2009;Hoffmann et al, 2013;Harn et al, 2014). In Brazil, footpad dermatitis is used as a welfare indicator in processing plants, and it is regulated by law (BRAZIL, 2010).…”