Ventilation in pig housing is a critical welfare determinant affecting air quality, temperature, humidity, and respiratory health across millions of animals in intensive housing systems.
Pig housing ventilation directly affects respiratory welfare for every animal in the building throughout their production life. Chronic exposure to elevated ammonia causes respiratory tract inflammation that impairs immune function and predisposes to respiratory disease - a systemic welfare compromise affecting millions of pigs in poorly ventilated commercial buildings. The welfare and productivity cases for adequate ventilation align: respiratory health affects growth performance, treatment costs, and mortality rates alongside welfare quality. Ventilation investment pays returns in welfare and production metrics that justify the capital cost.