High ammonia concentrations in broiler chicken houses cause significant respiratory suffering and are one of the most pervasive welfare problems in poultry farming.
Ammonia-induced suffering is endemic in commercial broiler production. Birds living in air with 25+ ppm ammonia experience burning sensations in eyes and airways — the human equivalent is weeping eyes and a burning throat maintained continuously throughout a bird's 6-week life. Chronic eye inflammation from ammonia causes permanent vision damage, affecting the bird's ability to find food and water. Respiratory tract damage increases susceptibility to infections. The birds have no escape from the contaminated air. High-density stocking and infrequent litter changes are the primary drivers of ammonia buildup. Improving ventilation, reducing stocking density, and replacing litter more frequently are effective solutions — but adoption is limited by the cost pressures of cheap chicken production.