Broiler house litter: types, moisture and management
Good litter is the foundation of broiler welfare, carcass quality and profitability. Learn how to choose litter material, maintain optimal moisture and prevent pododermatitis.
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Why does litter matter so much?
Litter serves several functions simultaneously: it insulates the floor, absorbs water and droppings, gives birds a substrate to scratch on and cushions their movement. Its condition directly affects foot pad health, air quality inside the house, and the flock’s overall performance. Poor litter management is one of the most common reasons for downgraded carcasses and lost welfare bonuses.
Optimal litter moisture
According to Aviagen (Ross Broiler Management Handbook), litter moisture should be between 20% and 35%. Below 20% the litter is too dry, it dusts and irritates the respiratory tract. Above 40% it becomes wet and compacted, favouring the growth of Clostridium, Eimeria (coccidiosis) and the bacteria responsible for pododermatitis. Regular moisture checks — even a simple squeeze test in the palm — help keep moisture within the optimal range throughout the cycle.
Effects of wet litter
Wet litter is one of the leading risk factors for the flock. It leads to pododermatitis (FPD — foot pad dermatitis), i.e. inflammatory lesions on the foot pads, which cause carcass downgrading and financial losses. Decomposing wet litter also releases ammonia, which irritates mucous membranes and weakens the birds’ immune response. Coccidiosis and intestinal diseases spread far more readily in wet conditions. More on carcass quality: Pododermatitis and broiler foot pad quality.
Main causes of litter getting wet
Excessive litter moisture can stem from several sources: leaking drinker lines (faulty nipple drinkers, excessive pressure), inadequate ventilation that fails to remove water vapour from droppings and breath, diarrhoea caused by coccidiosis or bacterial infections, and overstocking. Identifying the root cause is essential — loosening the litter without removing the source of the problem gives only temporary relief. On ventilation and air humidity: Temperature and humidity in the broiler house.
Litter, welfare and subsidies
Welfare legislation (integration programme requirements and EU regulations) obliges farmers to maintain litter in a proper condition throughout the cycle. Integration companies regularly assess foot pad score (FPD score) at slaughter, and that score can determine welfare bonuses or penalties. Good litter is therefore not only a matter of flock health but also a direct economic factor.
Litter for turkeys
Turkeys are heavier and more sensitive to foot condition than broilers, so they are given a thicker litter bed — around 7–10 cm as a rough guide — and it is kept dry and friable throughout the rearing period. The birds' weight means that even brief contact with wet litter can quickly lead to foot pad damage and joint problems. Dry, regularly stirred litter is the primary way to reduce these risks. More on the effects of wet litter: wet litter. On foot pad assessment: foot pad quality (FPD). What the early rearing period looks like: turkey rearing — first days.
The most commonly used litter materials in broiler houses
The choice of litter depends on availability, price and absorbency. Each material has its advantages and limitations.
Wood shavings and sawdust
The most popular litter material. Good absorbency, easy to loosen and relatively easy to source. Use dry shavings (moisture <15%) and avoid oak or resinous softwoods containing phenols. Recommended starting depth: 5–8 cm.
Chopped straw
Good thermal insulation, particularly useful in cold houses. Absorbs moisture less well than shavings and mats together more readily when wet. Needs to be cut into pieces under 10 cm so birds can move freely. Best used as a supplement or base layer.
Sunflower and buckwheat husks
Light and absorbent, used where shavings are expensive or hard to source. Sunflower husks can produce more dust than shavings, so proper dampening during the first days of the cycle is important. Contains no harmful chemicals.
Cellulose (paper) granules
Made from recycled paper, very high absorbency and soft underfoot, which reduces the risk of FPD. Higher purchase cost, but can reduce losses from carcass downgrades.
Litter from the previous cycle (built-up litter)
Some farmers use built-up litter — partially removing or turning the litter between cycles. Requires thorough disinfection and microbiological assessment; otherwise it increases the risk of pathogen transfer to the incoming flock.
Blended materials
In practice a mixture of two materials — e.g. straw and shavings — is often used to combine the insulation of straw with the absorbency of shavings. Every component must be dry before being spread.
How to manage litter throughout the production cycle
Keeping litter in good condition requires regular action, not just a one-off response to a problem.
Starting depth and spreading
At the start of the cycle, spread shavings to a depth of 5–8 cm or straw to 8–10 cm. The layer should be even across the entire floor. Thin patches near drinkers and along the walls are the first to become wet.
Regular loosening (stirring)
Stirring the litter (with a rake or mechanical stirrer) breaks up compacted lumps, improves air exchange through the layer and speeds up moisture evaporation. Stir every 3–5 days, and particularly around drinkers and along walls.
Adding fresh litter
In clearly wet or compacted spots (under drinkers, at entrances) remove the wet layer and add dry litter. Never cover wet litter with dry material — the moisture stays trapped and fermentation intensifies beneath the surface.
Drinker line management
Nipple drinkers should be set at the correct height (the bird has to stretch its neck slightly) and pressure (depending on flock age). Leaking or too-low drinkers are the most common single cause of wet litter. Check the line for leaks at least once a day. More: Broiler house ventilation.
Ventilation and litter moisture
Ventilation is the primary tool for removing moisture from the house. Insufficient air exchange — especially in the first days of the cycle with low stocking density and high temperatures — causes water vapour to condense on the cold floor. Minimum ventilation should run continuously, 24 hours a day, even in winter.
Stocking density and litter condition
Higher stocking density (above 33 kg/m² or beyond the breeding programme’s recommendation) generates more moisture and droppings per square metre of litter. If a higher density is planned, compensate with improved ventilation and more frequent litter loosening.
Frequently asked questions about broiler house litter
What is the optimal litter moisture for broilers?add
Optimal litter moisture is 20–35%. Within this range the litter does not dust, absorbs droppings effectively and does not create conditions for pathogen growth. Below 20% the litter is too dry and irritates the birds’ respiratory tract; above 40% it increases the risk of pododermatitis (FPD) and coccidiosis.
What are the most common causes of wet litter in a broiler house?add
The main causes are: leaking nipple drinkers (incorrect height or pressure), inadequate ventilation that fails to remove moisture from breath and droppings, diarrhoea caused by coccidiosis or bacterial infections, and overstocking. Each cause requires a different remedy — simply topping up with fresh litter is not enough.
What is pododermatitis (FPD) and how does litter affect it?add
Pododermatitis (foot pad dermatitis, FPD) is inflammation and necrosis of the skin on the foot pads of broilers, caused mainly by prolonged contact with wet and ammonia-laden litter. The FPD score at slaughter affects carcass grade and often determines welfare bonuses. More: Pododermatitis and broiler foot pad quality.
How deep should the litter be at the start of the cycle?add
For shavings or sawdust, the recommended starting depth is 5–8 cm; for chopped straw, 8–10 cm. A thinner layer becomes wet more quickly and loses its insulating properties. In cold weather a thicker layer improves thermal comfort for the chicks.
Can litter be reused in the next cycle?add
Yes, built-up litter is used by some farmers, particularly in programmes that don’t require a complete cleanout between cycles. It requires microbiological assessment and effective disinfection between cycles, and in the case of infectious disease the litter must be fully replaced. Always consult your flock veterinarian before reusing litter.
How does DlaFerm.pl help with litter monitoring?add
DlaFerm.pl lets you log daily observations of litter condition, moisture and actions taken (loosening, topping up) directly in the app. Records are linked to the production cycle and accessible to both the farmer and the integrator, making it easier to spot problems early and document corrective action.
How deep should litter be for turkeys, and why more than for broilers?add
For turkeys, a litter depth of around 7–10 cm is recommended — somewhat more than the standard 5–8 cm for broilers. The reason is body weight: adult turkeys can weigh more than 20 kg, which puts far greater pressure on the foot pads. A thicker layer cushions better and stays dry longer, reducing the risk of foot injuries and joint problems. Throughout rearing it is important that the litter stays dry and friable — wet or compacted litter, even at the right depth, won't do the job.
Sources & resources
- linkAviagen — Ross Broiler Management Handbook (litter management and microclimate)
- linkEFSA — Scientific Opinion on the welfare of broilers (pododermatitis, litter)
- linkIZ-PIB — National Research Institute of Animal Production, Poland (welfare standards)
- linkEuropean Poultry Science — FPD scoring methodology
- linkPolish Ministry of Agriculture — Minimum conditions for keeping broilers (implementing EU Directive)
Questions about litter and broiler house microclimate?
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