Litter quality in poultry houses directly affects the welfare of millions of chickens. Wet, ammonia-laden litter causes foot burns, respiratory disease, and chronic discomfort.
Broilers and laying hens spend their entire lives in contact with litter, making its quality central to their welfare. Wet litter causes chemical burns to the feet and hocks — hock burns and footpad dermatitis are painful contact dermatitis conditions that affect walking and resting. High ammonia concentrations irritate airways, eyes, and mucous membranes. Litter condition varies enormously between farms — management practices and stocking density are the primary drivers. Welfare certification standards increasingly require litter quality monitoring as an outcome indicator.