Summary

Litter management is a critical part of flock management and is essential to maintain adequate bird welfare. Welfare has become a major emphasis for integrators in recent years as consumers demand to know more about how their food supply is produced. Welfare is especially important for broilers, turkeys, and laying hens removed from cages and kept on litter covered floors. Optimal litter moisture is in the range of 20 to 25 percent but that can sometimes be difficult to maintain.