Farm Animals

Respiratory Disease in Broiler Chickens

Chronic respiratory disease is pervasive in intensive broiler production, causing significant suffering that is often underappreciated in welfare assessments.

Key Facts

Infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, and aspergillosis are common respiratory diseases
Poor air quality from ammonia and dust significantly increases respiratory disease risk
Wet litter from poor ventilation creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth
UK broilers are typically slaughtered before acute disease becomes apparent
Subclinical respiratory disease is widespread but rarely quantified in welfare assessments

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease causes discomfort, difficulty breathing, and reduced ability to engage in normal behaviours. Birds with chronic respiratory issues have impaired immune function and are less able to cope with other stressors. In densely stocked broiler houses, respiratory pathogens spread rapidly through airborne transmission. The welfare impact is compounded by birds' inability to distance themselves from affected flock members.

What You Can Do

Support ventilation and stocking density standards in broiler welfare schemes
Advocate for litter quality monitoring as a welfare indicator
Choose higher welfare chicken from schemes with lower stocking densities
Support air quality standards in poultry housing regulations
Back research into disease-resistant breeds and vaccination programmes