Livestock

Intensive Poultry Housing Air Quality Welfare

Poor air quality in intensive poultry sheds — particularly high ammonia levels — causes chronic respiratory damage and eye disease in chickens and turkeys.

Key Facts

Ammonia levels in poorly managed broiler sheds can exceed 100 ppm
Recommended welfare maximum is 20 ppm; EU codes of practice set 25 ppm as the limit
Chronic ammonia exposure causes corneal erosion, blindness and respiratory tract damage
Ventilation management is the primary control measure but is often inadequate
Stocking density is closely linked to litter moisture and ammonia generation

Welfare Considerations

High ammonia levels are a pervasive but invisible welfare problem in intensive poultry housing. Eye damage from chronic ammonia exposure causes pain and eventual blindness that is only visible at post-mortem inspection. Respiratory tract inflammation increases vulnerability to bacterial pneumonia. Proper litter management, ventilation and lower stocking densities are proven mitigation measures, but commercial pressure resists their full implementation.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory on-farm ammonia monitoring with recorded welfare thresholds
Advocate for lower stocking densities as the primary ammonia control measure
Choose free-range or outdoor-access poultry that spends less time in high-ammonia buildings
Encourage welfare assurance bodies to include regular ammonia spot-checks in audits