Numerous studies have shown that high ammonia levels in a swine or poultry housing will have detrimental effects on growth rates. Low levels of ammonia exposure irritate the animal’s respiratory system causing reduced resistance to infections. Recent recommendations for swine call for long term exposure that does not exceed 20 ppm. Ammonia is considered the most harmful gas in broiler chickens and suggested levels should be less than 25 ppm and should not exceed 50 ppm.
Effective strategies to control ammonia include increasing ventilation rates and controlling manure admissions by treating poultry litter with amendments and using odor reducing products in swine pits. But to be truly effective it is necessary to measure current ammonia levels and any reduced levels resulting from treatments. Although high levels of ammonia are detectable by humans upon entering the animal space, levels below the 50 ppm cannot be reliability judged without some type of monitoring equipment. Typical ammonia checking devices are expensive and require frequent recalibrations.
Hog Slat and Georgia Poultry is now offering a simple, inexpensive device to test ammonia levels in swine and poultry buildings named HAM (Hog Slat Ammonia Monitor). This easy-to-use testing strip features an imbedded colorimetric indicator which changes color from yellow to blue to measure average ammonia levels present. Just hang the strip at animal level for between 4 – 24 hours and read the simple chart to identify the average PPM levels for that time period.
Using the Ammonia Monitor is straightforward. Use a large binder clip with a string attached from the ceiling to hang the monitor just above bird height in poultry houses. For swine buildings hang the monitor at pig level in the alleys where they can’t reach it. Record on the top of the strip the DATE; TIME PLACED and HOUSE # before placing.
After allowing the Ammonia Monitor to remain in the building for 4 to 24 hours, mark where the color change becomes solid blue on the colorimetric indicator with a fine felt tip pen. After that record TIME REMOVED and TOTAL HOURS. In this example the color line indicator is marked at 11 in 16 hours of time in the building.
Next, on the back of the Monitor, find the total hours and read down the column until you find the indicator number from the front. Read across the line to the left and this is the average ammonia level in the barn. In our example the reading was 11; taking the line between the 9 and 13 across to the left side we get a reading in the middle of 10 to 20 ppm or around 15 ppm.
As noted above recent recommendations for swine call for long term exposure that does not exceed 20 ppm. Ammonia is considered the most harmful gas in broiler chickens and suggested levels are less than 25 ppm and should never exceed 50 ppm. Readings above these levels would suggest producers would need to increase ventilation rates and/or control manure admissions by treating poultry litter with PLT or Poultry Guard. Swine producers should consider using pit treatments such as MircoPT or ASI Pit Hammer.
The Ammonia Monitors are individually sealed in plastic and are conveniently packaged 5 to a unit and cost only $18.95.
Please note that the Ammonia Monitor will not function correctly if cut in two as the length of the colorimetric tube and “2 open ends” are part of the calibration.
