Litter quality in broiler houses directly determines the prevalence of contact dermatitis affecting hocks, feet and breast. Poor litter management causes preventable pain in millions of birds.
Contact dermatitis lesions cause chronic pain that affects the behaviour and welfare of affected broilers throughout their lives. Severe hock burns and footpad lesions are open wounds exposed to ammonia-rich litter that cause persistent inflammatory pain. Birds with severe lesions spend more time sitting to relieve foot pain, reducing access to feed and water. The lesions also provide routes for secondary bacterial infection that causes systemic illness. Litter quality management is therefore not merely a production issue but a fundamental welfare management responsibility. The high prevalence of contact lesions across UK broiler production reflects widespread welfare failure that could be substantially reduced through better management.