A method of controlling ventilation and air quality within naturally ventilated livestock and poultry buildings comprises placing in a controller predetermined parameters of temperature and humidity for the building in question. Temperature and humidity sensors within the building are mounted above the floor with the temperature sensors being located directly above each of the animal or poultry pens. These sensors are connected to the controller to feed through the controller actual conditions of temperature and humidity within the building. The controller compares the actual conditions of temperature and humidity within the building with the predetermined parameters of temperature and humidity stored therein. The controller then increases or decreases the draft of air capable of passing through the ventilation openings to adjust the temperature and humidity within the building to fall within the predetermined parameters in those cases when the measured conditions of temperature and humidity are outside the predetermined parameters. The automated controller for naturally ventilated livestock and poultry buildings is in communication with an elongated livestock compartment which has a plurality of closeable air openings, preferably a ridge vent in the roof and closeable windows in the sides thereof. The controller has stored data therein involving predetermined parameters of temperature and humidity.