Survey of chicken rearing conditions in Italy: effects of litter quality and stocking density on productivity, foot dermatitis and carcase injuries.

1. A survey was carried out to assess some welfare indicators in broilers reared by the largest poultry companies in Italy, to determine whether they accord with European proposal COM (2005) 221 final. 2. Productive traits, carcase injuries and foot dermatitis were recorded from 279,640 broiler chickens reared in winter and in summer in 5 farms representative of the Italian production system. 3. The densities currently used in Italy are in accordance with the European proposal, which recommends that broilers are kept at a density lower than 30 to 32 kg live weight/m(2) and not exceeding 38 to 40 kg live weight/m(2). 4. Season markedly influenced broiler welfare status, with the worst score collected in winter cycles, when the recommended limit of 50 points for foot pad dermatitis was exceeded. 5. Stocking density is not a straightforward indicator for bird welfare; there was no relationship between stocking density and lesion incidence or mortality rate. 6. The control of environmental conditions, particularly litter quality, appears to be a key issue for broiler welfare.