Litter quality in broiler and turkey houses is one of the most significant but underappreciated welfare determinants in commercial poultry production. Poor litter causes footpad dermatitis, hock burns, breast blisters, and eye problems affecting millions of birds.
Litter quality is a welfare problem that is simultaneously hidden (birds stand on litter rather than showing obvious signs of distress) and pervasive (affecting a significant proportion of the entire commercial flock). Footpad dermatitis in its severe forms is a painful chronic condition — lame broilers show reduced activity, altered posture, and increased pain-related behaviours. The connection between footpad welfare at slaughter and farm-level management creates a powerful monitoring tool: slaughterhouse FPD scoring data can be fed back to farms to drive management changes. This feedback loop is now mandatory in some EU countries and has demonstrably improved welfare outcomes. Dry litter management — achieved through appropriate ventilation, drinker design, and stocking density — is achievable without capital investment in most existing facilities.