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Atmospheric Ammonia Concentration Effects on Broiler Growth and Performance

Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078

Correspondence: R. G. Teeter, E-mail: poultry{at}okstate.edu

Atmospheric NH₃ in poultry facilities has been linked to damaged respiratory tract lining, reduced resistance to respiratory diseases, and increased ascites. Therefore, the effects of graded NH₃ concentration (0, 30, 60 ppm) on performance, tracheal lesions, conjuctival lesion, ascites incidence, hematocrit (HCT), blood uric acid (BUR), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were investigated using commercial broilers. Final body weight, feed consumption, and body weight gain were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected as NH₃ concentration increased from 0 to 60 ppm. In contrast, gain to feed ratio was depressed (P = 0.05) at 60 ppm NH₃. Right ventricular weight (RV), HCT, tracheal lesions, and pulmonary lesions increased with age (P < 0.05) to 21 d but was not affected by atmospheric NH₃. These data indicate that NH₃ in poultry houses lowers performance and may increase disease susceptibility.

Key Words: ascites • ammonia concentration • broiler chick