The multidimensional causal factors of 'wet litter' in chicken-meat production.
The problem of 'wet litter', which occurs primarily in grow-out sheds for meat chickens (broilers), has been recognised for nearly a century. Nevertheless, it is an increasingly important problem in contemporary chicken-meat production as wet litter and associated conditions, especially footpad dermatitis, have developed into tangible welfare issues. This is only compounded by the market demand for chicken paws and compromised bird performance. This review considers the multidimensional causal factors of wet litter. While many causal factors can be listed it is evident that the critical ones could be described as micro-environmental factors and chief amongst them is proper management of drinking systems and adequate shed ventilation. Thus, this review focuses on these environmental factors and pays less attention to issues stemming from health and nutrition. Clearly, there are times when related avian health issues of coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis cannot be overlooked and the development of efficacious vaccines for the latter disease would be advantageous. Presently, the inclusion of phytate-degrading enzymes in meat chicken diets is routine and, therefore, the implication that exogenous phytases may contribute to wet litter is given consideration. Opinion is somewhat divided as how best to counter the problem of wet litter as some see education and extension as being more beneficial than furthering research efforts. However, it may prove instructive to assess the practice of whole grain feeding in relation to litter quality and the incidence of footpad dermatitis. Additional research could investigate the relationships between dietary concentrations of key minerals and the application of exogenous enzymes with litter quality.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Poultry CRC, PO Box U242, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: mark.dunlop@daf.qld.gov.au.
Mark W
MW
Dunlop
The University of Sydney, Poultry Research Foundation, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
Amy F
AF
Moss
The University of Sydney, Poultry Research Foundation, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
Peter J
PJ
Groves
Feedworks, Romsey, VIC 3434, Australia.
Stuart J
SJ
Wilkinson
University of New South Wales, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Richard M
RM
Stuetz
The University of Sydney, Poultry Research Foundation, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
Peter H
PH
Selle
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D006799:Housing, Animal
Broiler chickens; Footpad dermatitis; Phytase; Poultry; Wet litter