Litter quality in broiler chicken houses directly affects foot health, respiratory function, and overall welfare. Managing litter is one of the most impactful welfare interventions in commercial poultry production.
Litter quality is one of the most tractable welfare levers in commercial broiler production. Wet, caked litter is the primary driver of footpad dermatitis — a painful condition causing ulcers on the foot pads that can progress to deep tissue damage. Affected birds spend less time walking and show pain behaviour. Ammonia produced from wet litter causes chemical burns to mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, causing chronic discomfort throughout the growing period. These conditions are measurable, preventable, and directly linked to management decisions about stocking density, drinker type, ventilation rates, and litter management protocols. Footpad scoring at slaughter is used in several countries to monitor welfare and incentivise improvement, demonstrating that welfare indicators can be embedded in production systems to drive management improvement.