Winter weather puts poultry producers in a difficult position: how to keep barns warm and energy-efficient without compromising ventilation and air quality. As temperatures drop, producers naturally tighten buildings and reduce fresh air intake to conserve heat. But this essential winter strategy comes with important consequences. Reduced airflow, higher humidity, and tightly sealed barns create ideal conditions for rapid ammonia buildup—posing risks to bird welfare and performance.

Ammonia: The Cold-Season Trouble-Maker

Reduced Fresh Air Intake

The primary reason ammonia levels climb in winter is simple: less air comes in, and less air goes out. When outside temperatures drop, minimum ventilation is often reduced to avoid heat loss. But cutting airflow too aggressively slows the removal of moisture, CO₂, and ammonia produced inside the barn.Even small reductions in minimum ventilation can have a noticeable impact on air quality, especially in high-density barns.

Modern Airtight Buildings

Today’s barns are better insulated and more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for reducing heating costs, it also means natural air leakage is dramatically lower than it used to be.

In modern, airtight structures, nothing leaves unless the ventilation system makes it leave. If minimum ventilation is not correctly calibrated for winter conditions, ammonia and humidity will rise—even in a well-built facility.

Wetter Winter Litter

Winter conditions create the perfect environment for litter to stay wet:

• birds produce more moisture through respiration
• condensation forms on colder surfaces
• and reduced airflow slows moisture removal.

Moist litter releases ammonia more quickly, especially when warm. Once ammonia begins to escape, it accelerates litter degradation, leading to a cycle of rising humidity, rising pH, and increased ammonia production.

The Impact on Birds

Ammonia levels as low as 10–20 ppm affect bird comfort, feed intake, respiratory health, uniformity, and overall performance. Prolonged exposure can:

• Damage the respiratory system
• Reduce feed intake and weight gain
• Increase susceptibility to respiratory diseases
• Affect footpad health due to wetter litter
• Increase overall stress levels

For producers, the impact shows up through lower performance, higher mortality, and poorer uniformity—outcomes that significantly affect profitability.

Keys to Managing Winter Conditions

Maintain Effective Minimum Ventilation

Minimum ventilation remains essential, even in cold weather. Proper settings help remove moisture and maintain air quality without causing drafts or excessive heating costs. Adjustments should reflect bird age, density, and current barn conditions.

Monitor Humidity and Ammonia

Humidity is an early indicator that conditions are shifting. Smart sensors — such as those used within Intelia solutions — continuously track humidity, CO₂, temperature, and ammonia. When values drift from expected patterns, producers receive clear alerts, making it possible to correct issues before they escalate.

Manage Litter Proactively

In winter, litter needs closer attention. Slightly increasing airflow when litter becomes tacky, ensuring proper drinker management, and avoiding cold spots all help prevent moisture buildup.
Real-time environmental monitoring strengthens this effort: a sudden change in humidity can signal a leaking drinker, poor ventilation balance, or an imminent ammonia spike.

Use Data to Detect Problems Early

This is where technology becomes especially valuable. Intelia’s intelligent sensors and analytics identify anomalies — such as unexpected humidity increases or insufficient ventilation cycles — long before birds show stress. Early alerts allow quick intervention and help maintain stable conditions throughout the coldest months.

Final Thoughts

Winter will always pose challenges for northern poultry producers. But by combining good management practices with early-detection tools, it becomes possible to maintain the right balance between warmth, air quality, and litter health. With continuous monitoring and timely alerts, producers can stay ahead of ammonia and humidity problems and support healthier, more consistent bird performance all winter long.