ChickenOut

The litter burns my legs and skin

It’s been nearly four weeks now and my legs do not seem to be coping with my heavy weight anymore. So, I’m forced to remain on the ground. I’ve spent days now on my belly unable to get up. The dirt in our litter is burning my featherless skin and it really stings. Some of us have blisters on our legs and feet and it really hurts.

FACT CHECK:
In intensive chicken production, chickens grow very rapidly. As they grow larger, they become very inactive and spend much of their time lying down. Managing their heavy weight leaves them no spare energy for exercise. Prolonged contact with wet litter causes painful sores or “ammonia burns” on the chickens’ feet, legs and breast. Hock burns and foot pad sore are common in intensively reared broilers. Foot and hock burns make walking painful and further reduce the birds’ activity.

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