Influence of claw clipping, stocking density and feeding space on the incidence of scabby hips in broilers

1. The aetiology of scabby hips was studied in broilers by scratching the skin with chicken claws, clipping the birds' claws and varying the effects of stocking density and food trough allocation. 2. Gentle scratching twice a week resulted in skin lesions that could not be distinguished from clinical scabby hips at slaughter. Interaction between birds appeared to be a prerequisite for the skin condition to develop. 3. Clipping of the claws at day 25 could almost completely prevent scabby hips at day 45 when the birds were slaughtered. 4. No positive correlation was found between feather condition and the severity of scabby hips at slaughter at day 45. 5. Decrease in stocking density and an increase in feeding space resulted in a reduction of skin lesions at day 25 and resultant scabby hips after slaughter.