Managing leg disorders in broiler chickens

Lameness in poultry is a very common occurrence, especially with exotic breeds. [File, Standard]

Lameness in the broiler breed of chicken is a fundamental animal welfare issue in the poultry meat industry.

Of the five animal freedom needs, the right to protection against pain, suffering, injury, and disease is key. Economic losses because of lameness are unbearable, starting with the loss of market-age birds, downgrading of chicken meat due to lameness, and the emotional effect on farm workers; seeing birds suffer is unsettling.