Litter quality in poultry houses directly affects bird welfare through footpad dermatitis, respiratory disease, and behavioral welfare. Active litter management is one of the most impactful welfare interventions in poultry farming.
Litter management is fundamental to poultry welfare but is often treated as a production rather than welfare issue. Footpad dermatitis causes painful ulcerations that affect the majority of birds in poorly managed houses. Active monitoring of footpad scores at slaughter provides a welfare feedback mechanism that identifies problematic farms. The same management practices that keep litter dry also reduce ammonia and improve air quality.