Do foot pad scores measure Turkey welfare

Abstract

The main aim of the project was to assess the painfulness of different levels of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) in turkeys. Three different analgesics (butorphanol, carprofen and meloxicam) were used to assess their effect on behaviour. Video recordings were taken when the birds were treated with either saline or one of the analgesics in a crossover experiment, with the aim of investigating whether or not FPD is a painful condition. The results did not show significant pain in affected turkeys. Carprofen may have an effect on behavior, whereas butorphanol and meloxicam did not