Broiler Respiratory Disease: Welfare Impacts of Intensive Poultry Production

Respiratory diseases are among the leading welfare problems in broiler chicken production, caused by high-density housing, poor ventilation, and selective breeding for rapid growth.

Key Facts

Respiratory disease is estimated to cost the US broiler industry over $2 billion annually
Ammonia from litter buildup in poorly ventilated sheds causes chemical burns to respiratory tissues
Ascites (water belly) is a cardiovascular-respiratory condition affecting rapidly growing broilers
Selective breeding for growth rate has compromised cardiac and respiratory function in modern breeds
Air quality parameters including ammonia levels below 25 ppm are required by some welfare certifications

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease in broilers is both a welfare catastrophe and a production problem that the industry has largely treated as an acceptable cost of doing business. Chronic exposure to ammonia at concentrations common in intensive sheds causes painful respiratory tissue damage. Ascites causes slow death by suffocation and heart failure. These are not rare events but routine features of a production system designed for speed above all else. Welfare standards that require lower stocking density and mandatory ventilation targets directly reduce these harms.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products with welfare certifications requiring maximum stocking density and ventilation standards
Support the Better Chicken Commitment standards, which include faster-growing breed requirements
Advocate for mandatory air quality standards in poultry production facilities
Reduce chicken consumption or shift to certified higher-welfare products
Support research into slower-growing breeds with better respiratory and cardiac health