Ammonia Check
High levels of ammonia in the air can reduce feed consumption, affecting the growth rate of young birds and the production of laying hens. Ammonia gas dissolves in fluid around the eyes, causing irritation, inflammation, and blindness. Symptoms of ammonia-induced conjuctivitis are rubbing the eye with a wing and reluctance to move or go into sunlight. High levels of ammonia can also damage the mucous membranes of a bird's respiratory tract, allowing bacteria, dust and viruses to travel down the tract to cause disease.
Ammonia that is concentrated enought to cause conjunctivitis or respiratory tract damage is concentrated enough to be detected by the human sense of smell. To check the ammonia level in your coop, squat or bend down until your head is about 1 foot above the litter or about the height of a chicken's head. Breathe normally for a moment or two. If your eyes, nose, or throat burn, the ammonia level is too high for your birds - decrease litter moisture and improve ventilation. Once the condition is corrected, a chicken's cells that were damaged by ammonia fumes should repair themselves within about 2 weeks..
Even with open ended pens, where I place litter up under the enclosed part of the housing.. I do this check regularly. If you get the slightest smell in your pen, I recommend that you move the pen, or completely clean out and refresh your pen.
Mama Gozzard
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