Farm Animals

Pig Ventilation and Ammonia Welfare

Ammonia from pig slurry causes respiratory irritation and disease, and effective ventilation management reduces both animal suffering and environmental impact.

Key Facts

Ammonia levels above 20 ppm impair pig respiratory health and welfare
Poorly ventilated buildings accumulate ammonia concentrations up to 50-100 ppm in some studies
Adequate ventilation rates matched to pig weight and temperature prevent ammonia build-up
Slatted floor management affects slurry surface area and ammonia volatilisation rates
Acidification of slurry in storage significantly reduces ammonia emissions from pig housing

Welfare Considerations

Ammonia exposure causes chronic respiratory irritation and disease that represents preventable welfare harm. Ventilation management is one of the highest-impact, most cost-effective welfare interventions available to pig producers.

What You Can Do

Support farms implementing ammonia monitoring and ventilation management systems
Advocate for ammonia standards in indoor pig housing welfare requirements
Ask pork producers about their ventilation management and ammonia monitoring protocols