Effect of dietary protein content, litter and drinker type on ammonia emission from broiler houses

Using a dynamic chamber technique and passive diffusion samplers, NH3 emissions were measured individually from 24 pens in an experimental broiler house with a total of about 3600 broiler chickens on litter. Two multi-factorial experiments were conducted in which the influence of litter, drinker type and diets was investigated. There was no difference in NH3 emission related to litter type or amount used. Litter dry matter content was higher and N losses lower in pens with nipple drinkers than in pens with bell drinkers. An increase in feed protein level significantly increased litter N content, NH3 emission rate, and total N loss. (C) 1996 Silsoe Research Institute