Practical welfare outcome indicators for broilers and laying hens enable farms, auditors, and retailers to assess actual animal welfare rather than just facilities.
Outcome-based welfare indicators for poultry provide the most direct available measure of actual welfare status. Footpad dermatitis visible at slaughter is caused by wet, poor-quality litter — it directly reflects litter management rather than assumed conditions. Keel bone fractures in laying hens reflect aviary design and management. These measures bypass the limitations of facility audits by measuring the animals directly. Building systematic outcome monitoring into supply chain requirements creates a continuous feedback loop between slaughter data and on-farm management that drives welfare improvement.