Ammonia is one of the most common causes of low animal welfare in chicken farms. It is also a major cause of respiratory problems, sores on feet and breasts as well as lower gain.

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a chemical compound between the elements nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H), and has the formula NH3. The substance is found everywhere in nature and occurs naturally in manure and urine.

The smell of ammonia is known, among other things, from the pungent smell of manure or in the environment of a chicken farm.

Ammonia is formed in humans and animals by the breakdown of proteins (albumin) from the diet, or in connection with the ongoing remodeling of all tissues in the body. A part is also formed in the intestine from the breakdown of proteins and other nitrogenous compounds by bacteria.

Ammonia in Poultry Houses

In poultry houses ammonia is a byproducts of manure. When nitrogen compounds are decomposed the result is formation of ammonia (NH3+) and ammonium (NH4-). Ammonia is lighter than air and therefor it floats into the air causing respiration problems and bad smell. Ammonia formation is nurtured by low pH in the litter, high temperatures, and high humidity inside the poultry house.

Feed supply involves the delivery of raw materials, ingredients, or mixed feed to production sites like factories, plants, or animal farming operations. Maintaining a steady and dependable supply of feed is essential for the efficient functioning of any production site and for the well-being of animals in farming contexts.

Incorporating Capacitive Sensors into Feed Supply Management

Enhancing the feed supply chain’s effectiveness can be achieved by integrating capacitive sensors. Capacitive sensors are electronic devices that measure the capacity or amount of electrical charge stored in a material. They work by detecting changes in capacitance, which is the ability of a material to store an electrical charge.

Capacitive sensors have a wide range of applications in managing feed supplies. For instance, they are effective in gauging the quantity of raw materials in storage facilities like bins, silos, or tanks. This monitoring helps in averting material shortages and guarantees uninterrupted production due to sufficient raw material or compound feed availability.

Monitoring The Flow Rate

Capacitive sensors can also be used to monitor the flow rate of raw materials being transported through pipes or conveyor belts. This can help to optimize the rate at which materials are supplied to the production process, ensuring that there is neither an excess nor a deficiency of raw materials.

Overall, the use of capacitive sensors in the feed supply process can help to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent disruptions in production. They offer a reliable and cost-effective means of monitoring and controlling the flow of raw materials, ensuring that production can be maintained at optimal levels.

Free-Range vs. Cage Systems in Poultry Production: Benefits and Pitfalls

Few topics in poultry farming spark as much debate as housing systems. Should chickens be raised in cages or in free-range environments?

Both approaches have advantages and challenges, and the choice often depends on how farmers weigh efficiency, animal welfare, food safety, and consumer expectations.

Cage Systems: Efficient but Controversial

Cage systems, whether conventional or enriched, became the global standard for egg production in the mid-20th century. They were designed to maximize efficiency and food safety, allowing large numbers of hens to be managed in a controlled environment. This consistency led to high egg output and reliable feed conversion, while the reduced contact with litter helped lower the risk of some diseases and parasites. Mortality rates in well-managed cage systems are often lower than in alternative systems, and daily tasks such as feeding, watering, and egg collection are easier to manage.

Despite these strengths, cage systems remain highly controversial. By design, cages restrict birds’ natural behaviors such as dust bathing, wing flapping, foraging, and nesting. This lack of behavioral freedom has become a central welfare concern, particularly as consumers grow more aware of how their food is produced. Limited movement also affects bone strength and can lead to higher rates of osteoporosis. In many markets, conventional battery cages are being phased out altogether, replaced either by enriched cages with perches and scratching areas, or by alternative housing systems.

Free-Range Systems: Welfare and Consumer Appeal

Free-range production presents a very different image, one that appeals strongly to consumers. Birds have greater freedom of movement and outdoor access, allowing them to express natural behaviors such as scratching, foraging, and dust bathing. This generally improves welfare and reduces stress, while more activity supports stronger muscles and bones. Free-range eggs are often marketed as healthier or more sustainable, and products from these systems can command a premium price in the marketplace.

For producers, however, free-range is not without challenges. Outdoor access increases the risk of exposure to predators, parasites, and pathogens such as avian influenza. Biosecurity is harder to maintain, and mortality rates are generally higher than in cage systems. Feed efficiency is often reduced, as birds spend more energy on activity and foraging. In addition, if outdoor areas are not carefully managed, manure accumulation can lead to soil degradation and nutrient pollution.