The quality of litter — the bedding material on which broilers live — is one of the most significant determinants of broiler welfare. Poor litter causes painful foot and hock lesions affecting millions of birds.
Litter quality is a welfare multiplier in broiler production — poor litter conditions simultaneously cause pain (through dermatitis), respiratory disease (through ammonia), and denial of natural behaviour (through wet substrate that prevents dustbathing). The interconnected nature of these welfare harms means that improvements to litter management have broad, cascading welfare benefits. Stocking density is the most powerful variable — lower density produces better litter conditions through reduced manure output and improved ventilation. Nipple drinker design, regular litter turning or replenishment, and adequate ventilation are effective management tools. Footpad dermatitis scoring at slaughter — mandated in EU countries — provides a direct feedback mechanism linking farm management to welfare outcomes.