Litter quality in broiler houses has profound effects on bird health and welfare. Managing litter effectively is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available to poultry producers.
Litter quality is a lever that farm managers can directly control and that has immediate, measurable effects on broiler welfare. Wet, ammonia-laden litter causes contact dermatitis that progresses from redness to open, infected lesions on the feet, hocks, and breast of birds. These lesions are painful, chronic, and affect a substantial proportion of birds in poorly managed flocks. The link between litter quality and welfare is so well established that footpad scoring at slaughter is used as a farm-level welfare indicator in progressive regulatory frameworks. Improving litter quality requires investment in ventilation infrastructure, precise drinker management to prevent leakage, appropriate stocking densities, and regular litter monitoring. The fact that litter quality improvements also reduce ammonia-related respiratory disease and improve growth performance creates economic as well as welfare incentives for better management.