How poor air quality in intensive livestock housing causes respiratory disease and welfare compromise across species.
Air quality is a fundamental welfare parameter in intensive livestock housing that is frequently inadequate in practice. Chronic respiratory irritation causes persistent discomfort and predisposes animals to infectious disease. Ammonia at concentrations common in poorly ventilated housing causes eye and airway irritation that reduces feed intake, growth, and immune function. The welfare and productivity costs of poor air quality create economic alignment with improvement, yet many older facilities continue to operate below acceptable air quality standards. Regulatory minimum ventilation requirements and inspection programs that include air quality monitoring would drive systematic improvement. Deep litter management, biofilters, and improved ventilation design provide practical solutions.