The quality of litter on the floor of broiler chicken houses has profound welfare implications, with wet and soiled litter causing painful foot and breast lesions in millions of birds.
Litter quality is a direct determinant of broiler welfare outcomes. Wet, ammonia-laden, compacted litter burns the skin of birds, causing painful dermatitis that affects walking, feeding, and resting behaviour. The problem is amplified by fast-growing breeds that are too heavy to move comfortably, leading to more time in contact with litter. Effective interventions are well understood and economically feasible: proper drinker height, ventilation management, litter amendments, and stocking density controls. Enforcement of litter quality standards backed by mandatory slaughterhouse scoring would substantially improve welfare.