Earn 2,500 extra per batch
The ammonia level impacts your revenue

An increased concentration of ammonia reduces the revenue of your broiler production. Research* shows that an increased ammonia concentration reduces profits by EUR 2,500 or more per batch in a livestock house with 25,000 broilers.

  • NH3 is an indicator of the litter quality
  • 10 to 15 ppm is achievable in well-managed broiler houses
  • Your nose can't assess the level of NH3
  • An ammonia sensor is a management tool

Why measure ammonia?
The CO2 level is a very good indicator of the air quality in the livestock house. The level of ammonia (NH3) in the air is also an indicator of litter quality. The litter quality has a significant influence on the production results. It is a well-known fact that there is a close link between good litter, a uniform distribution of the broilers, and good production results.

Your nose is not good enough!
When the ammonia level is at its highest in a well-managed livestock house, it is somewhere between 10 and 15 ppm. The impact on the litter increases significantly during the second and third weeks when the broilers' gain accelerates.

It is hard to assess whether the ammonia level is 20 or 40 ppm if you do not have measuring devices. But there may be a significant effect on the production results if the ammonia concentration is too high. An increased ammonia concentration may result in a higher FCR, reduced gain, as well as lower welfare of the broilers.

Management tools
The DOL 53 ammonia sensor is a good management tool. The sensor constantly measures the ammonia level. The measurements enable you to react in case the ammonia level rises at the start of the batch. Corrective action could be adjusting the ventilation or heat system. It is also possible to detect early indications of problems. Early action benefits the welfare and productivity of the broilers. Connect DOL 53 to DOL 61 display for data monitoring or to a controller for climate control, for instance, the DOL 539 climate and production controller.

*Atmospheric Ammonia Is Detrimental to the Performance of Modern Commercial Broilers. D. M. Miles, S. L. Branton, and B. D. Lott