Litter quality in broiler chicken houses directly affects foot health, eye and respiratory condition, and overall welfare, making litter management a central welfare intervention.
Litter quality affects broiler welfare through multiple direct mechanisms: wet, caked litter causes painful contact lesions on feet and hocks; high ammonia concentrations from decomposing litter cause chronic eye irritation and respiratory inflammation; and compacted litter denies the substrate for natural dustbathing and scratching behaviors. Litter management welfare improvements require investment in ventilation infrastructure and management expertise - problems that are more tractable than genetic issues but require ongoing attention throughout each flock.