BONUS SPRING SUMMER 2025

The presence of coccidiosis exacerbates the wet litter problem, as infected broilers often produce loose, watery droppings, further increasing moisture levels in the litter. Wet litter not only promotes the spread of coccidiosis, but also deteriorates air quality by increasing ammonia levels in the poultry house. High ammonia concentrations can irritate the respiratory system of broilers, leading to compromised lung function and making them more susceptible to respiratory diseases. Gas Acceptable level Hazardous level Effects of exposure AMMONIA (NH 3 ) ≤10 ppm >25 ppm Respiratory issues, eye irritation, reduced feed intake, and growth rate. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ) ≤3 000 ppm (0,3%) >5 000 ppm (0,5%) Impaired respiration and productivity, potential suffocation at high levels. CARBONMONOXIDE (CO) <10 ppm >20 ppm Headaches, dizziness, and potentially fatal at high concentrations. HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H 2 S) ≤5 ppm >20 ppm Irritation of the respiratory tract, potentially fatal in high concentrations. OXYGEN (O 2 ) 19,5%–21% >20 ppm Reduced oxygen levels cause respiratory distress, potentially fatal for chickens. METHANE (CH 4 ) <1 000 ppm (0,1%) >5 000 ppm (0,5%) Explosive hazard at high levels, respiratory issues for broilers. Air qualitymanagement Poor air quality and cold stress can also Table 1: Gasses produced in a broiler house, accepted levels and hazardous levels with potential consequences. House temperaturemanagement Providing a consistent and evenly distributed temperature at the chick level is important to keeping the chicks thermally comfortable. The table below shows the dry bulb temperatures during the growth period. Cold stress initiates a surge of issues – it promotes wet litter, which increases the risk of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis, in turn, worsens contribute to the development of ascites, or water belly, a condition where fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity. Ascites is often triggered by insufficient oxygen supply due to poor ventilation and the birds’ increased metabolic demands in response to cold stress. The reduced oxygen availability, coupled with the effects of poor air quality, strains the cardiovascular system, leading to ascites. litter conditions and air quality, leading to respiratory issues and potentially triggering ascites. The effective management of environmental conditions includes maintaining appropriate temperatures and ensuring proper ventilation. Monitoring broiler behaviour Observing the behaviour of broilers is a practical approach to assessing their Controlling litter moisture is essential to break this cycle and maintain broiler health during winter. www.agribonus.co.za Spring/Summer 2025 BONUS 3