Poultry Litter Quality and Bird Welfare

Litter quality in poultry sheds is a major determinant of foot health, hock burn, and overall welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Wet, compacted litter causes hock burn, footpad dermatitis, and breast blisters in broilers and turkeys
Poor litter quality results from high stocking density, inadequate ventilation, and drinker design faults
Good litter management includes monitoring moisture, friability, and depth throughout the crop
Fresh, dry wood shavings provide better welfare outcomes than recycled or compacted litter
Footpad dermatitis rates are used in EU legislation as an indicator of litter quality and management

Welfare Considerations

Litter quality is one of the most important practical welfare management factors in poultry production. Poor litter causes painful skin lesions that affect movement, feeding, and social behaviour. Good litter management is achievable through proper housing design, ventilation, appropriate stocking density, and regular monitoring.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certifications that include mandatory litter quality and footpad scoring
Choose poultry from farms with documented litter management programmes
Advocate for mandatory footpad dermatitis monitoring and reporting
Support research into litter management practices that minimise skin lesion incidence