Farmed Chicken Welfare: Ammonia and Air Quality

Ammonia from poultry litter causes respiratory damage, eye lesions and chronic welfare harm in broiler and laying hen flocks when ventilation is inadequate.

Key Facts

Ammonia concentrations above 20 ppm cause measurable respiratory irritation and eye damage in poultry
UK legislation sets a maximum of 20 ppm for ammonia in poultry buildings
Concentrations often exceed legal limits in poorly ventilated buildings, particularly in winter
Ammonia causes conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis and chronic respiratory inflammation
Litter management is the primary determinant of ammonia production alongside ventilation
Ammonia monitoring using spot tests or continuous sensors enables management intervention
High ammonia is associated with increased respiratory disease susceptibility and treatment costs
Naturally ventilated buildings struggle to meet ammonia targets in cold weather when ventilation is reduced

Welfare Considerations

Chronic ammonia exposure causes insidious welfare harm through progressive respiratory and eye damage. Birds in high-ammonia environments are in constant low-level pain and their respiratory health is compromised, increasing susceptibility to infectious disease. The condition is largely preventable through appropriate litter management and ventilation. The tendency to reduce ventilation in cold weather to conserve heat creates a direct welfare conflict that requires management attention. Ammonia monitoring should be a routine welfare measure in all poultry buildings.

What You Can Do

Support poultry welfare standards that require continuous ammonia monitoring
Advocate for stricter enforcement of ammonia limits in poultry housing
Choose chicken products from certified farms with demonstrable air quality management
Support research into low-emission litter additives that reduce ammonia production
Engage with poultry retailers about requiring air quality data from their suppliers