Litter quality in poultry houses directly affects bird health and welfare. Wet litter causes contact dermatitis, respiratory disease, and significant welfare compromise across commercial flocks.
Litter quality is a significant and often underappreciated determinant of poultry welfare. Wet, contaminated litter is not merely uncomfortable — it causes painful contact dermatitis, respiratory disease from ammonia exposure, and eye irritation that impairs feeding and activity. The condition affects the majority of birds in poorly managed flocks, making it one of the highest-impact welfare problems in poultry production by total animal numbers affected. Litter management interventions are technically straightforward and economically beneficial through reduced disease treatment costs and improved feed conversion. Stocking density reduction is the most powerful single intervention — lower stocking density reduces moisture load, competition for drinking space spillage, and bird-to-bird contact. Ventilation management preventing moisture accumulation, adequate drinking system design preventing spillage, and appropriate litter depth all contribute to welfare-positive outcomes.