Keeping litter dry is equivalent to maintaining air quality in the house, protecting livestock from pathogens, and safeguarding production performance.

In broiler management systems, farmers’ attention is often focused on feed, genetics, and health management, while the house environment is frequently overlooked. In reality, the quality of the house environment is a vital foundation that determines both bird comfort and overall production success.

One environmental component that plays a crucial role—yet is often underestimated—is the bedding, or litter. Improper litter management does not only trigger technical issues within the house; it can also directly impact broiler performance, increase stress levels, and elevate the risk of health disorders, ultimately leading to decreased business efficiency. In the field, litter is more than just a floor covering; it is the guardian of the microclimate balance, managing everything from temperature and humidity to ammonia levels.

As stated by Idris Irkham Romadlon, Supervisor of the Breeding Farm at PT Mitra Berlian Unggas (MBU) on Friday (Jan 31), technically, litter functions to absorb water from feces and spilled drinking water, while also serving as an insulation layer between the chickens and the floor. “The function of litter is to help maintain the bird’s body temperature, especially during the early phase of rearing. We can identify high-quality litter by its ability to absorb water quickly, its light weight, being non-toxic, easily accessible, and its ability to remain dry for a long period.”

Dry Litter: A Reflection of Bird Health

Speaking to the Poultry Indonesia team, he emphasized that the condition of the litter reflects the health of the birds. According to him, if the litter is dry, the growth of decomposing bacteria can be suppressed, the air in the house remains fresh, and ammonia levels are more controlled. The birds are also more comfortable moving around and exhibit normal behavior.

This statement aligns with research by Najibulloh (2020), which shows that wet litter contributes directly to an increase in ammonia gas in the house, which can irritate the respiratory tract and eyes of the birds.

“In addition to impacting air quality, litter quality is directly felt in production efficiency. Healthy litter helps prevent foot diseases such as pododermatitis and reduces stress caused by ammonia, allowing more of the bird’s energy to be utilized for growth and production,” he explained.

Conversely, wet litter is a primary risk factor for various diseases. In field practice, overly damp litter is often associated with cases of coccidiosis, colibacillosis, respiratory disorders like CRD, eye irritation, and bumblefoot. Biologically, wet litter triggers the growth of bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and increases insect populations that act as disease vectors.

“Once the litter starts getting wet, the disease risk has already risen. Sometimes the birds look healthy, but their performance slowly declines. This means the impact of the litter appears gradually; farmers must be sensitive when there is a dip in production performance, because the effect of wet litter is not always immediate mortality.”

This article is an excerpt from the Management (Tata Laksana) section of Poultry Indonesia Magazine, February 2026 edition. Read the full story in the February 2026 Edition of Poultry Indonesia Magazine. To subscribe or for more information, contact: https://wa.me/+6287780120754 or sirkulasipoultry@gmail.com.

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