in my experience, footpad dermatitis is usually seen in cage system of rearing of layer chicks with more birds per cage. This is because of damage caused by cage wires if their gauge of wires is narrow and also sharp nails also cause injury.
In broilers, it depends on the material used, wet litter and more ammonia in sheds.
Hi:
Aside from material be used for litter that must have enough capacity to absorb water from faeces and waterer, enteritis and feed passage will exacerbate the bacterial growth and ammonia gas in house that induces footpad dermatitis. Hence management of gut health will be effective in preventing footpad dermatitis. Therefore, not only essential oil but also other product like prebiotic can be effective in preventing it.