Ammonia and poultry welfare

Akrum Hamdy

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, Egypt.

Abstract

Atmospheric ammonia is a major aerial pollutant of poultry buildings. It causes a serious problem in the Egyptian poultry industry. The current exposure limits for ammonia of 30 ppm are set on the basis of human safety not for animal welfare. Herein, the evidence for ammonia exposure affecting various aspects of poultry welfare will discuss. The reviewed evidence suggests that ammonia exposure (1) causes irritation to the mucous membranes in the eyes and the respiratory pathway; (2) can increase the susceptibility to respiratory diseases; and (3) may affect food intake, food conversion efficiency and growth rate thereafter. The behavioral effects of ammonia on poultry have recently been investigated and suggest that there may be a threshold for ammonia detection or aversion at or below the current exposure limit. The available evidence for the effects of ammonia on poultry welfare should be considered when setting for ammonia exposure in poultry houses.

Keywords: Poultry welfare; ammonia; poultry houses.