Litter quality is a key determinant of broiler and turkey welfare. Wet or poor-quality litter causes contact dermatitis, respiratory problems, and foot lesions affecting millions of birds.
Litter quality is a controllable welfare parameter that significantly affects broiler and turkey welfare across multiple dimensions. Wet litter causes FPD — a painful condition where the footpads become ulcerated from contact with ammonia-laden moisture — as well as hock burns from lying on wet surfaces. High ammonia from wet litter causes respiratory and eye damage. Preventing wet litter through ventilation management, appropriate stocking density, and water drinker adjustment is a welfare intervention with clear and measurable benefits. FPD scoring at slaughter, implemented in some EU countries, provides retrospective feedback to producers about litter quality management.