Litter quality in broiler houses directly determines the welfare of the millions of birds resting on it — poor litter management is associated with footpad dermatitis and other harms.
Poultry litter welfare management is one of the most tractable improvements in broiler welfare — the connection between litter moisture, footpad dermatitis, and animal suffering is well-established, and the management levers are known. Nipple drinker maintenance to prevent spillage, adequate ventilation to reduce humidity, appropriate stocking density, and correct feed formulation all reduce litter wetness. The result is lower FPD prevalence, reduced pain in affected birds, and better health outcomes generally. Slaughterhouse FPD monitoring, as required by the Broiler Directive, provides accountability — high-FPD flocks indicate poor litter management that welfare regulators can act on.