Keep Those Houses Dry: Ammonia Production in Chicken Houses

We recently came across an article by Dr. Michael Czarick at the University of Georgia about how we essentially “grow” ammonia in broiler houses. That idea caught our attention because ammonia doesn’t just happen because birds produce manure. We provide many of the conditions that allow it to develop, including food, moisture, and warmth.

The good news is that while we can’t eliminate all of those factors, there is one we can have a significant impact on: moisture.

Why Are We “Growing” Ammonia?

When we say we’re growing ammonia, we mean that we’re creating an environment where the bacteria involved in ammonia production can thrive. Think about the pest-control conversation we’ve had before. A poultry house can be like a resort for rodents and other pests because it provides food, water, warmth, and shelter. Bacteria have similar advantages inside a poultry house.

We have manure, which provides a food source. We have warmth because the birds need to stay warm. And when we have excess moisture in the litter, we’re providing another condition that encourages bacterial activity. We’ve called chicken houses “petri dishes of bad bacteria” for years because they can be warm and moist environments where bacteria thrive.

Moisture Can Significantly Increase Ammonia Production

We can’t eliminate manure from a poultry house. Birds are going to eat, and birds are going to poop. We also can’t simply lower the temperature because the birds need an appropriate environment. That leaves moisture as one of the things we can actually influence.

Dr. Czarick referenced research from Dr. Miles with the USDA, who worked with faculty at Mississippi State University to examine the relationship between litter moisture and ammonia production. At an air temperature of 75°F, increasing litter moisture from 20% to 25% increased ammonia production by 40%. Increasing moisture to 30% increased ammonia production by 80%. The study also found that under optimal conditions favorable for growing litter-producing bacteria between 42% and 45%, ammonia production increased nearly 2.5 times.

The point is that moisture matters. Even when we’re not talking about extremely wet litter, relatively small increases in moisture can have a substantial effect on ammonia production.

Where Does the Moisture Come From?

When we see wet litter, it’s easy to think about the traditional causes. Maybe there’s condensation. Maybe cold air is coming through an inlet or door. Maybe there’s a leaking nipple. Those things can still happen, but we also need to consider what’s happening with the birds.

When birds are stressed or dealing with gut and bacterial issues, they can pass more feed, which can contribute to wetter litter. Now we’ve introduced more moisture into the environment where bacteria are already present.

That’s why wet litter can be an indicator that something else may need attention, too.

Ammonia Management Has to Continue Through Grow-Out

We often think about ammonia control in terms of placement, and products such as acid treatments can do a great job of bringing ammonia down. But the effect doesn’t last forever.

Once birds are placed, the first bird poops on the floor, and the conditions begin changing again. The pH starts coming back, and ammonia production can increase again. That’s why we need to think about ammonia management throughout the entire grow-out, not just at placement.

One of the main things we can do is keep the litter dry.

Control What You Can Control

You’re not going to out-ventilate ammonia. Ventilation is important, but we also have to address the conditions that are contributing to ammonia production in the first place. So, control what you can control.

Keep the litter dry. Stay tight on your water lines. Pay attention to moisture in the house, and pay attention to what’s happening with the birds.

When we manage moisture, we’re not just working on ammonia. Dry litter can also contribute to better paw quality, air quality, welfare, performance, and overall bird health. There are a lot of factors involved in ammonia production, and we could spend a lot more time talking about them. But after reading Dr. Czarick’s article, we wanted to focus on one piece that deserves more attention: the impact of moisture on bacterial growth and ammonia production.

We can’t control everything in a poultry house. But we can control what we can control. Keep those houses dry!

Contact Us

If you have any questions for us, reach out to me at allen@southlandorganics.com. For more information related to poultry biosecurity, visit our YouTube channel.