Effect of atmospheric ammonia on laying hen performance.
In periods of extremely cold weather, energy conservation in a pit-type laying house usually results in a restricted ventilation rate and an increase in air pollutants particularly ammonia. Results show that 200 ppm ammonia for 17 days causes a significant loss in percent egg production and the hens lose a significant amount of weight with a reduced feed intake. Although not satisfactory, it appears that lesser amounts of ammonia (100 ppm) can be tolerated for short periods without an immediate drastic loss in laying performance if a choice has to be made between frozen waterers and cold stress versus atmospheric ammonia in the laying house.
D000641:Ammonia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000641:Ammonia