Litter quality in poultry housing directly affects both foot health and respiratory welfare, with wet or contaminated litter causing significant bird suffering.
Litter quality profoundly affects poultry welfare through two primary mechanisms: physical damage to feet causing painful footpad dermatitis, and respiratory irritation from ammonia accumulation. Footpad dermatitis progresses from surface lesion to deep tissue infection, causing chronic pain that affects normal movement and behavior. Ammonia causes dose-dependent irritation of the respiratory epithelium, eyes, and mucous membranes, creating discomfort at levels commonly found in poorly managed houses. Both problems reflect inadequate attention to basic environmental management rather than fundamental production constraints. Good ventilation, appropriate stocking density, and litter management practices that maintain dry substrate are achievable across diverse production systems.