Farmed Chicken Respiratory Health Welfare

Respiratory disease in broiler chickens is linked to ammonia exposure from poor litter management and high stocking densities.

Key Facts

Ammonia from chicken litter causes respiratory tract damage at concentrations common in many commercial houses
Chronic low-level ammonia exposure damages the immune system and increases susceptibility to respiratory pathogens
Newcastle disease and Mycoplasma infections cause significant respiratory suffering in commercial flocks
Ventilation management is critical — balancing heat retention with fresh air to limit ammonia buildup
Respiratory disease causes millions of chicken deaths annually and widespread subclinical suffering

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory suffering in commercial broilers is linked directly to housing conditions that prioritize cost reduction over animal welfare. High stocking densities, poor ventilation, and inadequate litter management create environments where ammonia builds to concentrations that damage airways and immune function. The resulting respiratory disease causes suffering at individual and flock scale. Welfare-positive housing addresses these root causes rather than relying on antibiotic treatment after the fact.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from welfare schemes requiring adequate ventilation and stocking density standards
Support antibiotic stewardship in poultry farming — overuse is driven partly by poor housing conditions
Advocate for ammonia exposure limits in commercial poultry housing regulations
Reduce chicken consumption from industrial systems with poor respiratory health records
Support research into housing designs that improve air quality without compromising temperature management