Litter quality in broiler chicken houses directly affects respiratory health, foot health, and overall welfare for billions of birds. Managing litter is among the highest-impact husbandry interventions.
Litter quality is a foundational welfare determinant for housed broiler chickens. Wet, ammonia-rich litter causes continuous chemical burns on foot pads and hocks as birds rest on contaminated substrate. The pain from severe foot pad dermatitis is well-documented and affects mobility and behavior. Respiratory exposure to ammonia damages airways and increases susceptibility to respiratory disease. The root cause is typically excessive stocking density combined with inadequate ventilation — both of which have economic drivers that pressure producers toward poor welfare outcomes. Independent welfare auditing using hock burn and foot pad scoring provides a measurable, objective welfare metric that connects visible outcomes to management practices.