Foot Pad Dermatitis

Good article about Litter Moisture and Foot Pad Dermatitis in poultry. Does the ammonia level in the wet litter add to FPD?

A good research about Litter Moisture and Foot Pad Dermatitis in poultry, although this is not a big problem but still you have to prevent it with good management and hygiene practices. I has the experience of seeing this problem in layer pullets reared on floor and reason was poor litter conditions rather litter thickness was not adequate. Farmer was advised to add litter to at least 3 inches thickness and issue subsided.

It is unknown at this time as to how much ammonia plays a role in the development of foot pad dermatitis lesions in poultry. The manure and moisture interaction in the litter probably contributes to the severity and incidence of this condition. More research in this area is needed, however, it is commonly accepted that drier floors are correlated with lower incidence of these lesions.

in the Netherlands Foot Pad Dermatitis is a welfare issue.
If the percentage FPD is too high bird density must be lowered next cycle.
This will be effective somewhere in the second half of 2012.
As we did already several trials to reduce FPD with the use of Selko pH ( mixture of organic acids and their salts ) in drinking water in broilerhouses , we managed to reduce the FDP .
The use Selko pH showed better (lower) water/food ratio which results in dry litter and almost reduction to zero FPD
Technical performance rises , less mortality and less use of antibiotics.

litter depth is not really an issue in the netherlands , most of the broilerfarms start uo with only 1 - 2 cm of litter