Respiratory disease in commercial broiler chickens reflects air quality problems in high-density houses that cause chronic welfare compromise.
Broilers in poorly ventilated houses with high ammonia experience persistent respiratory irritation that compromises breathing capacity, causes eye damage, and increases vulnerability to respiratory pathogens. The cumulative welfare burden of chronic low-grade respiratory irritation throughout the 5-6 week growing cycle represents widespread daily suffering in affected flocks. Poor litter quality from inadequate ventilation creates wet footpad conditions causing foot pad dermatitis - painful skin lesions on the feet that affect movement and foraging. Good ventilation management that maintains air quality and litter dryness is a foundational welfare intervention in broiler production that also reduces disease-related production losses.