Poultry Welfare

Poultry Litter Quality and Bird Welfare

Litter quality in broiler and laying hen housing directly affects foot health, breast blisters, and overall bird welfare.

Key Facts

Wet litter causes hock burns, breast blisters, and eye inflammation in broilers
Good litter management requires monitoring moisture and ammonia levels
Litter depth and material type significantly affect foot pad dermatitis rates
Overcrowding degrades litter quality faster and amplifies welfare harms
Regular litter assessment is a key welfare audit indicator for poultry

Welfare Considerations

Litter quality is one of the most tractable welfare interventions in poultry farming. Poor litter causes direct physical harm including lesions and burns, while good litter management prevents these outcomes at relatively low cost. Monitoring litter moisture, ensuring adequate ventilation, and avoiding overstocking all contribute to dramatically better welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from farms with foot pad dermatitis monitoring programs
Support certification schemes that require litter quality standards
Ask food companies about litter quality standards in their supply chains
Advocate for mandatory litter quality reporting in poultry welfare regulations