Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Poultry Ammonia and Respiratory Welfare

High ammonia levels in poorly ventilated poultry houses cause significant respiratory and eye damage in broiler chickens and turkeys.

Key Facts

Ammonia at levels above 25 ppm causes corneal damage and respiratory inflammation
High-density litter produces ammonia as bacteria break down urea from droppings
Adequate ventilation is the primary management tool for ammonia control
Ammonia levels in many commercial houses routinely exceed welfare-safe levels

Welfare Considerations

Chickens and turkeys exposed to chronic high ammonia levels experience painful eye inflammation, corneal ulceration, and respiratory disease. The damage accumulates over the growth cycle and is often visible at processing as a welfare indicator. Proper ventilation design and litter management maintain ammonia at acceptable levels, but economic pressure to minimize heating costs by reducing ventilation creates ongoing welfare problems in many operations.

What You Can Do

Choose poultry from certified farms with documented ammonia management
Advocate for maximum ammonia level requirements in poultry welfare standards
Support research on cost-effective ammonia reduction technologies
Reduce poultry consumption or shift to plant-based alternatives