Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Chicken Litter Quality and Health

Litter quality in broiler houses has major effects on foot health, breast health, and overall welfare of floor-reared chickens.

Key Facts

Wet litter is the primary cause of hock burns and foot pad dermatitis in broilers
Hock burn affects over 30 percent of commercial broilers in poorly managed houses
Litter quality depends on stocking density, ventilation, and water management
Regular litter management significantly reduces foot and hock injury rates

Welfare Considerations

Foot pad dermatitis and hock burns from wet litter cause chronic pain and lameness in affected chickens. Severely affected birds avoid walking, reducing access to feed and water. The condition affects billions of birds annually and is largely preventable through stocking density management and proper ventilation. Welfare certifications that include hock burn scoring provide meaningful accountability for litter quality management.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken certified to welfare standards that include hock burn scoring
Support certification schemes with low foot pad dermatitis thresholds
Advocate for stocking density limits that reduce litter quality problems
Reduce chicken consumption or shift to plant-based alternatives