A cage-related foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal-sized single comb white Leghorn layers.
Studies were conducted to determine if wire cage floors were involved in producing a foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal-sized Single Comb White Leghorn layers. Dermatitis scores were found to be higher for dwarf birds reared in cages versus litter floors. The use of plastic-coated cage floor inserts and wooden perches reduced the incidence of dermatitis in caged dwarf birds. Normal-sized layers consistently exhibited a lower incidence of dermatitis than did dwarf hens.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010058:Oviposition; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000209:etiology*