44 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | March 2024 Livestock IMPROVING AIR QUALITY IN POULTRY BARNS ‘The quality of the air birds breathe 24 hours a day is a major factor in health.’ By Emily Croft Air quality is a principal component in productivity and efficiency in poultry barns. Not only does it have implications for bird growth throughout their life cycle, but it can also impact employee health and well-being. In the highly controlled environment of layer, broiler and breeder barns, monitoring dust, ammonia, temperature and humidity should be a priority. How do these components of air quality affect bird productivity, and how can they be optimized? Health and productivity Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Animal Care Program Manual states that air quality must be monitored daily. “Air quality and animal health are directly linked,” says Rick McBay, ventilation specialist at Canarm AgSystems. Nicholas Wilson, ventilation territory manager at Canarm, adds, “Air quality will also affect the quality of a barn and how well it produces a healthy bird.” Animal specialists with Burnbrae Farms focus on air quality as a major factor of bird health. “Poor air quality can negatively affect birds’ lungs and make them more susceptible to respiratory infections. Dust may also carry microorganisms and toxins. High levels of ammonia can also have a negative impact on eye health,” says Dr. Michelle Hunniford, national animal care specialist at Burnbrae Farms. “Healthier hens that are not experiencing environmental stressors like poor air quality will have better growth and production.” Poor ventilation leading to damp spots may promote pathogen accumulation in litter. High ammonia levels can also increase the risks of respiratory infections, foot pad lesions and hock burns. Infections, lesions and disease limit growth and increase the cost of production for poultry farmers. High ammonia and dust can also create health risks for staff who experience long-term exposure to these factors. “We encourage all staff to wear N95 masks in the barns, especially free-run barns, because their health can also be impacted by inhaling small particulate matter,” says Adrian Poelstra, regional manager of poultry operations for the Lyn location of Burnbrae Farms. Air quality can be monitored by watching for huddling behaviour in birds or for crowding and spareness in various regions of the barn. Producers and staff should be observant of damp or dusty areas of litter and condensation on walls as indicators of humidity. Ammonia should be maintained at less than 10 ppm and may be detected by smell over those levels. Factors of air quality A variety of factors influence the air quality in poultry barns. Stocking density, seasonality and weather, litter quality, bird age and management are all barn-specific factors that play a role in air quality. The ventilation system of a barn can create the difference between good and poor air quality for birds. Canarm photo
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