Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Respiratory Disease Welfare

Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of suffering and mortality in farmed broiler chickens. Poor ventilation, high stocking density, and litter quality all contribute to respiratory health problems.

Key Facts

Respiratory disease accounts for a significant proportion of broiler mortality
Ammonia from litter irritates airways and predisposes birds to infection
Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease affecting growth
Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis are common viral respiratory threats
Good ventilation and litter management dramatically reduce respiratory disease burden

Welfare Considerations

Broiler chickens with respiratory disease experience breathing difficulties, reduced activity, and chronic discomfort. Prevention through good housing management, biosecurity, and vaccination programmes is far more effective than treatment and significantly improves welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support broiler welfare standards requiring minimum ventilation requirements
Choose chicken from farms audited for respiratory disease management
Advocate for lower stocking densities to improve air quality in broiler houses