Poultry Litter Management and Broiler Welfare

Litter quality in broiler chicken sheds has a direct and well-documented effect on bird welfare. Wet, compacted litter causes severe foot problems and contact dermatitis affecting millions of birds.

Key Facts

Hock burns — lesions caused by prolonged contact with wet litter — affect an estimated 30-80% of broiler chickens in some production systems
Footpad dermatitis is a regulated welfare indicator in the EU, with processors required to monitor and report prevalence
Litter quality is determined by stocking density, ventilation, water system management, and substrate type
Dry, friable litter allows dust bathing, a natural behavior that is strongly motivating for chickens and improves welfare
High ammonia levels from wet litter cause respiratory damage and eye irritation in broiler flocks
Good litter management can reduce hock burn prevalence by over 50% without changing stocking density

Welfare Considerations

Litter management is one of the most tractable welfare improvements available in broiler farming. The link between litter quality and welfare outcomes — particularly hock burns and footpad dermatitis — is well established, and the interventions required are primarily about good management rather than capital investment. Regulatory monitoring of hock burn prevalence has driven meaningful improvement in some countries, demonstrating that welfare incentives embedded in supply chains can change practice at scale.

What You Can Do

Support retailers and food companies that require litter quality welfare monitoring from broiler suppliers
Advocate for mandatory hock burn monitoring and reporting requirements in broiler chicken regulations
Reduce or choose higher-welfare certified chicken to create market incentives for better litter management
Follow broiler welfare research to stay informed about management practices that improve litter quality