You are here

What Causes Footpad Dermatitis in Poultry?

Filed Under:
Publication Number: P2769
View as PDF: P2769.pdf

Good litter management and proper ventilation are critical to preventing footpad dermatitis (FPD) and maintaining health in poultry flocks. Footpad dermatitis first became an issue for the poultry industry in the 1980s, but it surely existed long before that time. The condition is known by a variety of names, including pododermatitis and contact dermatitis. It is characterized by inflammation and ulcers on the footpad and toes. The sores can be shallow or deep. Deep ulcers may lead to abscesses of the underlying tissue and structures (Greene et al., 1985). For many years, the feet (or “paws”) of broiler chickens received little attention, but that all changed during the 1980s. Until then, chicken paws were not a saleable product and were rendered along with blood, feathers, and other unmarketable parts of the chicken. However, in the mid-1980s, an overseas market for broiler paws began to develop, and paw quality became more important. A chicken “paw” is actually the portion of the leg below the spur; a chicken foot includes the foot as well as the portion of the leg below the feather line.

Download the PDF above to learn what causes footpad dermatitis in poultry.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. If you need assistance accessing any of our content, please email the webteam or call 662-325-2262.

Your Extension Experts

Professor and Head
Portrait of Dr. Jessica Benoit Wells
Assistant Teaching Professor

Related Publications

Publication Number: IS1976
Publication Number: P3209
Publication Number: IS1973

Pages