Control Ammonia
to Increase Profit

Poultry Houses with High Ammonia Settle Lower

Research shows ammonia robs growers of bird performance at levels as low as 25 PPM.

While ammonia is unavoidable in poultry production, its negative consequences on health and performance (and therefore profitability), can be minimized by applying a sufficient rate of PLT® – Poultry Litter Treatment.

PLT traps ammonia in litter

When combined, the value of these benefits can be clearly seen in a grower’s settlement check.

Improved bird health
& fewer condemns

PLT stops ammonia which damages birds’ eyes, can cause blindness which increases cull rate and harms cilia in the respiratory tract. Learn more

Lower fuel costs

PLT has been proven to lower fuel costs by allowing houses to be ventilated for relative humidity, not ammonia. Learn more

Increased Performance

Even at low levels, ammonia negatively impacts body weight gain and feed conversion. Birds raised on PLT settle higher.

Decreased Feed Costs

Better performance means a better FCR, which equates to less money spent on feed. Learn more

Improved animal
welfare and comfort

No ammonia means better respiratory health and improved paw quality. Learn more

Flexible scheduling

PLT is the only litter amendment safe enough to apply with birds in the house to control ammonia at any time during growout. Learn more

Think Ammonia Isn’t a Problem in Your Poultry Houses?

When you’re exposed to something all the time, it’s easy to become desensitized to it. That’s the case with ammonia and poultry producers. While ammonia during winter months is expected to be a challenge (though inconsistent testing might not reveal the full challenge), a common misconception is that ammonia isn’t a problem in summer because of increased ventilation.

Ammonia Levels during Grow-Out
Ammonia Generation From Broiler Litter

Summer air quality surveys conducted at 300+ houses showed that only 37% had ammonia levels 25 PPM or less. Fifty three percent of houses were above 50 PPM, none of which had been treated with a litter amendment.

And remember, as litter moisture increases (think evaporative cooling) so does ammonia volatility—and that impact is magnified as temperatures rise (Miles et al).

Ammonia Resources

Significant profit losses can occur from ammonia-caused performance decline, even at low levels. Learn how to avoid profit loss through ammonia management.
Understanding Acids and Their Potential in Poultry Litter
Treating litter with an acidifier is a fairly common practice in poultry production, used as a way to control ammonia and maintain a favorable environment for bird welfare. While the benefits of acidification are often discussed, most people don’t often think about what qualifies a chemical as an acid, the different types of acids, and how they work.
The Case for Air Quality Surveys: Reduce Respiratory Disease Risk, Improve Performance
Air quality surveys are a valuable tool that allow integrators to look at trends of air quality in broiler houses, serving as an effective indicator to gauge if litter amendments are being utilized effectively. They also provide a wealth of actionable data that can be used to reduce the impact of ammonia on respiratory health.
Accurately Measuring Ammonia Levels in Poultry Houses
There are a number of tools available to producers that can help determine ammonia levels in poultry houses. While some cost hundreds of dollars and require frequent calibration, there are a number of low cost, easy to use and relatively accurate options that can be used to determine whether ammonia has reached harmful levels.

We're Here To Help

Contact a Jones-Hamilton Co. representative today to learn more about the gold standard in poultry litter ammonia control.