Poultry excreta comprises undigested feed protein and uric acid, which microbial enzymes convert to ammonia (NH3). Several litter characteristics, including pH, temperature, oxygen, moisture concentrations, and substrate availability, influence this conversion. The recommended limit for ammonia in a chicken shed is less than 10 ppm, however, up to 25 ppm is not detrimental. Ideally, the relative humidity should range between 50 and 70%. The rainy season, defective foggers, insufficient ventilation, water leaks, and other factors all contribute to increased humidity inside the shed.

Ammonia levels and humidity in poultry houses are interconnected. High relative humidity can exacerbate the adverse effects of high blood ammonia levels in poultry. In humid environments, more NH3 may be dissolved in the air droplets and inhaled into the blood during respiration by birds, consequently increasing the blood ammonia content. When ammonia gas is exposed to moisture, it reacts and forms a corrosive solution called ammonium which causes harm to birds. Additionally, high humidity can hinder the evaporation of moisture from the litter, causing it to retain more ammonia.

Deleterious Effects on Poultry:
1. Respiratory Issues: High levels of ammonia in the poultry house air can cause respiratory problems for the birds. Ammonia gas affects the trachea’s mucosal surface, causing paralysis of cilia, sometimes deciliation of epithelial cells, and causes necrosis of the mucosal epithelium.
2. Foot Lesions: The constant exposure of poultry to ammonia can cause severe foot lesions by causing chemical burns on the foot pads of birds, leading to painful and debilitating footpad dermatitis.
3. Eye Lesions: High concentrations of atmospheric ammonia for a prolonged duration causes irritation, conjunctivitis, and damage to the cornea of the eyes. Swelling and reddening of the eyelids, irritation, reddening of the conjunctiva and nictitating membrane, and partial or complete closure of the eyes are common clinical signs.
4. Reduced performance.

How to prevent it:
Along with farming management like dietary management, stocking density, proper ventilation, house temperature, litter management, etc., other supplements like Phytogenic Feed Additives can be supplemented in a poultry diet. A phytogenic feed additive increases the digestibility of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the gut inflammation caused by stressors.

Thereby may considerably increase the gut integrity of the birds. Phytogenic feed additives also alter gut microflora, minimizing the adverse effect of harmful bacteria on the gut. Less undigested and unabsorbed nutrients will be excreted through faeces from a healthy gut, which means less nitrogen excretion.

STODI, a Standardized Botanical Powder, is crafted with scientifically selected herbs improving the efficiency of feed utilization and overall performance of the birds. In various studies, it has been found that STODI supplementation has significantly reduced litter nitrogen (g/100g of litter) as compared to group without supplementation. STODI maintains the gut integrity and peristaltic movement of the gut which increases time for the protein and other nutrient utilization by the birds. This increased protein utilization leads to reduced excretion reduced excretion of nitrogen which in turn decreases the production of ammonia level in litter. Along with this STODI has shown to improve the gut microbiota level and gut immunity of the birds.

In conclusion, the combined impact of ammonia and humidity in the world of poultry farming underscores the critical importance of maintaining a balanced and controlled environment for the well-being and productivity of the birds. High levels of ammonia in poultry houses can lead to a range of deleterious effects. STODI, a polyherbal formulation has shown to reduce the ammonia level in litter with improved nutrient utilization and gut microbiota balance.