Managing poultry litter critical to profitability

Ensuring ideal litter depth and monitoring litter indicators can affect not only bird health but also the grower and producer’s bottom line.

Photo by Andrea Gantz
Photo by Andrea Gantz

Proper litter management in poultry houses is crucial because it has a direct impact on bird health, and ultimately, the profitability of the chicken grower and producer.

Regardless of the type of litter chosen for the poultry house, bedding depth is one of several important considerations, according to Blake Gibson of Jones-Hamilton Company, speaking at the 2016 National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production on September 28. Gibson recommends that 5-6 inches of litter normally be on the ground, but notes that new or cleaned-out pads require more bedding in order to effectively do its job of regulating the bird’s body temperature and wicking moisture away from the bird.

Blake-GibsonBlake Gibson spoke at the National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production, held September 28-30 in Ocean City, Maryland.

He pointed out that some may say this amount of litter is too expensive, to which he replied: “You can’t afford not to encourage your producers to use more litter bedding today because it does impact your bottom line.”

To wick away moisture properly and make the birds comfortable, ideally, Gibson advised new bedding should have a moisture content less than 20 percent; built-up litter should have a moisture content ranging 15-25 percent.

Monitoring litter indicators

Understanding the pH, relative humidity and gas indicators of litter is also necessary in order for it to have a positive impact on the flock.

The pH of broiler litter depends on several factors including the type of litter, water, wasted feed and fecal-matter buildup. Gibson said that litter in the U.S. has typically has a natural pH level of 7.8-8.2. These levels are ideal for most of the bacteria that negatively impacts birds, as well as yeast and mold growth, so manipulation through chemical change, heating or pasteurizing is sometimes required.

Another key consideration is relative humidity. Affecting litter moisture, ammonia production and bird hydration, Gibson feels this is not currently enough of a focus at the farm level. If relative humidity levels get too low, the house gets dried out too much and dehydration can occur in baby chicks; if relative humidity is too high, litter gets wet in just a few hours, increasing bacteria and generating more ammonia than needed. If there is too much ammonia and other gases in the litter, the birds have to compete with them for oxygen. To get an accurate reading, Gibson said relative humidity levels should be checked in the early morning or late evening hours.

“We must understand and manage these effects on the litter to have a positive effect on the flock. If we don’t focus on and manage these indicators … the flock will be challenged from the moment that they’re placed,” he said.

Managing equipment

According to Gibson, micro-managing the water system is crucial to litter management and controlling moisture. With a 10- to 12-year life expectancy, drinking systems wear out and need to be replaced in full to prevent the system from leaking. He said water flow through the systems should be tested each flock and adjustments made so that the birds are drinking the water and as little as possible spills, thus helping to control the amount of water that ends up on the floor, resulting in greater ammonia levels.

Ventilation also plays a role in proper litter management.  Dust and particulate matter running through poultry house fans create a loss of efficiency, especially when allowed to build up. Gibson advised every poultry house to have a water hose, and wash the fans off at least once a week. Static pressure machines should also be checked regularly for things like loose cords, stretched cables and improperly fitting vent boxes, all of which he said impact the housing floor.

 

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