The quality of litter in poultry houses significantly affects bird welfare through its effects on foot health, air quality, and disease transmission.
Litter quality is a key determinant of poultry welfare that intersects with housing design, stocking density, ventilation management, and health status. Wet, ammonia-laden litter causes contact dermatitis on feet and hocks that progresses to painful ulceration in severe cases. Ammonia levels in poorly managed sheds cause chronic respiratory irritation and eye damage. These problems are largely preventable with good management: appropriate stocking density, well-designed drinkers that minimise spillage, and adequate ventilation. Footpad dermatitis scoring at slaughter provides a retrospective welfare indicator that is increasingly used in welfare audit systems.