Foot dermatitis and productive traits in broiler chickens kept with different stocking densities, bitter types and light regimen

The purpose of the research was to study the effects of high and low stocking density of broilerchickens, different types of litter and the adoption of short and long lighting regimen on broiler welfarethrough the evaluation of their productivity and incidence of foot pad dermatitis. 2,400 male Ross 508 weredivided into 8 groups of four replicates each and reared in 32 pens according to a 3 factors experimental designof two levels each: low (LD) or high (HD) stocking density (11 and 14 birds/m2 for LD and HD respectively),chopped straw (CS) or wood shaving (WS) litters and short (SL) or long (LL) light regimens (16 h light and 8 hdark or 23 h light and 1 h dark respectively for SL and LL). Broiler growth rate and feed efficiency were positivelyinfluenced by a stocking density lower than 30 kg of live weight per m2. The adoption of a short light regimenreduced feed intake and improved feed conversion rate without modifying body live weight. Chickensreared on wood shaving litter showed a lower incidence of foot pad dermatitis.