Effects of Poor Ventilation in Poultry House

Correct Answer: All the above

Poor ventilation in a poultry house leads to multiple harmful consequences simultaneously, affecting both the birds and the litter quality.

Effects of Poor Ventilation

• Accumulation of CO (Carbon Monoxide): Produced by incomplete combustion from gas brooders or heaters in poorly ventilated houses. CO is toxic even at low concentrations.
• Accumulation of NH₃ (Ammonia): Ammonia is produced from the microbial decomposition of uric acid in poultry litter (faeces + bedding). The maximum permissible limit of NH₃ in a poultry house is 25 ppm. Above this level, it causes respiratory distress, eye damage (keratoconjunctivitis), and increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases like Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD).
• Wet litter condition: Without adequate airflow, moisture from bird respiration and droppings cannot evaporate, leading to wet, caked litter. Wet litter promotes coccidiosis, bumblefoot, breast blisters, and ammonia build-up.

Safe Gas Levels in Poultry House

• NH₃ maximum: 25 ppm
• CO₂ maximum: 3,000 ppm (0.3%)
• CO should ideally be zero