poultry litter management

7/27/2019 Poultry Litter Management

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Effects of Ammonia produced inlitter while

Poultry Management & its control(Both Broiler & Layer)

7thSept13Hanuman Junction.

Sneha Farms Pvt. Ltd.

Dr. Praveen Gujrathi.


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Effects of Ammonia:-

Commercial poultry now a days in totalconfinement. Therefore, health and well-being of birds greatly

influenced by air quality.

Air pollutants such as ammonia & dust are associated with

an increased incidence of respiratory diseases.

The incidence of respiratory diseases is higher in winter, when

less ventilation results in more air pollution

Ammonia production in a poultry house depends on :-

1. Inadequate Ventilation

2. Wet Litter (Increased Moisture)


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1. Inadequate Ventilation :-

Improper ventilation leads to wet

litter. Ammonia fumes develop in wet litter & droppings.If ventilation is poor & fumes accumulate at higher

concentration which prevent growth & performance, cause

eye changes, and aggravate respiratory infections.

2. Wet Litter:-

When litter moisture maintained between 20-25%,

ammonia usually not produced. Ammonia production starts

when moisture exceeds 30% and increases further as

temperature rises. Wet litter exposes to more coccidiosis. This

is because wet litter favours development of coccidial oocysts.

Wet litter also results in soiling of birds and eggs, and in poor

performance.


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How is ammonia produced :-

When litter is wet (high moisturecontent), urate-splitting bacteria present in the litter, produce

fermentation of the urates in the faeces under warm, moist

conditions.

This leads to production of ammonia in the house.

Ammonia concentrations are increased by moisture, high

temperature, overcrowding & poor ventilation.

In most cases, excess ammonia in a broiler house is due to wet

litter and insufficient ventilation


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How does ammonia produce harmful effects :-

Ammonia (NH3) is a gas.

It is highly soluble in water.

When it comes in contact with mucous membrane of

respiratory tract (Cilia- minute hair like processes) afterinhalation or in contact with eyes, it dissolves in the liquid

(that is mucus of respiratory tract) to produce ammonium

hydroxide (NH3+ H2O.NH4OH), that is solution of

ammonium gas in water.

Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH) is an irritating alkali and is

responsible for damage caused


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What are the harmful effects of ammonia? :-

Ammonia levels should be less than 25ppm (parts per million),

but in poorly ventilated litter-type houses, ammonia mayexceed 100ppm.

1. When concentration of ammonia is greater than 25ppm it

may have following effects:-

a. Ammonia damages respiratory system & promotes to

infection:- Such as colibacillosis (that is E. coliinfection),

infectious coryza, and Ranikhet disease.b. Depresses growth rate by 4 to 8%:- this increases feed

conversion ratio by 3 to 6% in broilers.

c. Reduces appetite.


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2. When concentration is greater than 50 ppm :-

a. Defense mechanism of respiratory tract (Cilia) is destroyed,

the birds become more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Example- inhaled E. coli grows and produce disease, favours

severe respiratory diseases associated with respiratory

pathogens. (disease producing organisms)b. Ammonia also reduces body weight & feed efficiency.

3. When concentration of ammonia is greater than 75 ppm:-

a. Ammonia reduces food consumption & growth rate.

b. Egg production may also be affected

c. At levels of 75-100 ppm, there may be haemorrhages in trachea

& bronchi (respiratory tract)


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4. When concentration is greater than 100 ppm :-

a. Ammonia in concentration of 150 ppm & above sometimes

causes ammonia blindness also known as ammonia burn

in broilers.

b. Affected birds keep their eyes closed, with ruffled feathers,

and are reluctant to move.c. Affected birds donot eat & become weak.

d. In extreme cases corneal ulceration causing permanent

damage & impaired vision.

The human nose is able to detect ammonia levels at around 20

ppm. Ammoniaconcentr ation of just 5 ppm(undetectable by

human nose)have been shown toirr i tate & injure protective

lining of the chicks respiratory tract, causing increased

susceptibil i ty to respiratory disease.


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Effects of ammonia on people and chickens:-

Ammonia

(PPM)

People Chickens

Drop in egg

Production

Weight loss

lesions

Respiratory

Lesions

Eye

20Very slight

smell

No drop No loss Slight No changes

25-30 Very slightsmell

No drop No loss Slight No changes

50-60 Increasingsmell

No drop + + +

100 Eye & noseirritation

+ ++ + +

200 Eye & noseirritation

++ +++ ++ ++


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Prevention:-

1. Keep the ammonia level of the poultry house less than 25ppm :- when litter moisture maintained between 20-25%.

Ammonia usually not produced.

2. Ensure proper ventilation :- During cold weather & duringbrooding period main function of ventilation system is to

remove ammonia & moisture from broiler house. Many

farmer underestimate the harmful effects of ammonia.

3. Ensure proper litter management :- Litter dries better, if it

is stirred frequently. But in spite of all efforts, it may

remain wet in rainy season, & to some extent, also in

winter. If wetness & excess ammonia concentration persist,

litter should be changed & ventilation improved.


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Prevention:-

The key to reduce ammonia problem & ensure

good air quality is to control moisture in the

poultry house.

Adequate ventilation to remove moisture &

reduce humidity levels in the poultry house is the

most effective method of ensuring good air

quality.


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Thank Q

poultry litter management

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