The quality of litter — the bedding material on which broiler chickens live — has profound effects on foot health, breast health, and overall welfare throughout the grow-out cycle.
Litter quality is arguably the single most actionable welfare variable in broiler production. Birds standing on wet, ammonia-laden litter experience painful foot lesions that cause visible lameness, reduced feed intake, and increased reluctance to move — compounding the mobility problems already associated with fast-growing breeds. FPD causes genuine pain, evidenced by birds' preference for analgesics when housed on damaged litter. Good litter management is achievable with modest investment in ventilation, drinker design, and stocking density control, making it a high-priority target for welfare improvement on existing farms.