The quality of litter in poultry houses directly affects foot pad health, respiratory function, and the welfare of billions of chickens and turkeys worldwide.
Litter quality is a foundational welfare determinant in poultry production. Poor litter causes contact dermatitis on footpads, hocks, and breast tissue from continuous contact with wet, ammonia-rich substrate. Foot pad lesions range from mild to severely ulcerated, interfering with walking and feeding. High ammonia concentrations cause respiratory distress and eye damage. The good news is that litter management is within farm management control — ventilation, stocking density, water management, and litter turning dramatically reduce FPD rates. Welfare audit systems that measure FPD at slaughter and link scores back to farms provide accountability for producers.