Air quality in poultry housing directly affects welfare through ammonia exposure, dust, and temperature regulation. Inadequate ventilation causes respiratory disease and chronic discomfort in millions of birds.
Poultry house air quality is a welfare determinant that is largely invisible to consumers and difficult to assess from outside. Ammonia exposure at chronic sub-irritant levels causes corneal damage and respiratory changes that compromise welfare without triggering obvious distress. Temperature extremes cause acute heat stress and cold stress with clear welfare impacts. Litter management that keeps floors dry reduces ammonia production and maintains foot and leg health simultaneously. Ventilation system investment and litter management quality are strong predictors of welfare outcomes in indoor poultry systems.