Poultry Ammonia: Air Quality and Welfare

Ammonia from poultry litter causes respiratory irritation, eye damage, and chronic welfare problems in broiler and layer flocks, making air quality management essential.

Key Facts

Ammonia is produced by microbial breakdown of uric acid in poultry litter and excreta.
Concentrations above 20ppm cause respiratory irritation; above 50ppm cause eye and tissue damage.
Chronic ammonia exposure impairs immune function and increases susceptibility to respiratory disease.
Litter management, ventilation, and litter amendments significantly reduce ammonia levels.
UK law sets a maximum of 20ppm ammonia in poultry housing; enforcement is limited.

Welfare Considerations

High ammonia concentrations in poultry houses cause chronic discomfort, tissue damage, and disease susceptibility that birds have no means to escape. Poorly managed litter rapidly generates damaging ammonia levels, particularly in wet conditions. Effective management through adequate ventilation, dry litter maintenance, litter turning, and microbial amendments keeps ammonia below welfare-damaging thresholds. Farm assurance scheme audits that include ammonia monitoring provide an important welfare safeguard.

What You Can Do

Support farm assurance schemes that include ammonia level monitoring in poultry house audits.
Ask poultry meat and egg producers about their litter management and air quality monitoring protocols.
Advocate for enforceable ammonia standards and regular independent monitoring in poultry facilities.
Choose free-range or outdoor poultry products that reduce time spent in enclosed houses.
Support research into ammonia-reduction litter amendments and ventilation technologies.