Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27145
Title: The multidimensional causal factors of ‘wet litter’ in chicken-meat production
Contributor(s): Dunlop, Mark W (author); Moss, Amy F  (author)orcid ; Groves, Peter J (author); Wilkinson, Stuart J (author); Stuetz, Richard M (author); Selle, Peter H (author)
Publication Date: 2016-08-15
Early Online Version: 2016-04-22
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.147Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27145
Abstract: 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 among 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.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Science of the Total Environment, v.562, p. 766-776
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Place of Publication: Netherlands
ISSN: 1879-1026
0048-9697
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070204 Animal Nutrition
070202 Animal Growth and Development
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300303 Animal nutrition
300301 Animal growth and development
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830309 Poultry
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100411 Poultry
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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