Maintaining good litter condition is a key factor in successfully growing broilers. It is essential for performance and protecting the birds’ health and welfare, while also preventing painful skin conditions such as pododermatitis, hock burn and breast blisters.
Bedding materials differ from country to country and decisions are made on availability, cost and environmental concerns regarding litter disposal.
In Europe, for example, wood shavings, sawdust or straw is commonly used. Unchopped or coarsely chopped straw is not ideal as it has a tendency to cake early. Wheat straw has better absorptive qualities than barley straw.
The important functions of litter are to:
- Absorb moisture
- Dilute excreta, minimizing manure contact with birds
- Provide insulation from colder floor temperatures
Higher stocking density increases the challenge: More feces means more moisture will be added to the litter.
Bedding consisting of wood shavings or sawdust, or a mix of both, at a minimum depth of 2.5 cm, provides good material for absorbing moisture. | Nigel Strain
DRIVE
We do not always have control over the bedding material or placement density. However, we can and need to control the DRIVE factors:
- Drinking (water hygiene and control)
- Relative humidity (moisture)
- Intestinal integrity (health)
- Ventilation (air)
- Eating (feed quality and control)
Good litter condition is essential in maintaining bird health and, equally, good bird health will help maintain litter condition. Providing young chicks with the environment they need for their immunity and intestinal development is of utmost importance.
Intestinal development
Effective brooding will enable good development of the intestines, allowing the birds to absorb nutrients from their water and feed consumption, resulting in a healthier, more efficient bird.
Achieving appropriate floor temperature and good intake of water and feed will maintain the chicks’ desired body temperature of 40-40.6C in the first four days.
To achieve this intake, we recommend the following:
Feed
- Provide the chicks with good quality crumb
- Cover 50 percent of the brooding area with paper, placing a line each side of each drinker line
- Place at least 75g of chick feed on to the papers (lasting at least four days)
- If paper is not an option, supplementary trays should be provided, at least one per 50 chicks
- Place each feed pan as low as possible
- Flood each feed pan with feed for ease of access
- During brooding, manually activate each feed line regularly to ensure each pan remains full and stimulates feed intake
Conduct regular crop-fill checks of at least 100 chicks in different areas of the poultry house during the first 24 hours. At least 95 percent of the chicks should have water and feed present in their crops the morning after chick placement. If this is not achieved, brooding adjustments should be made.
Water
- 360 degree nipples should be used for ease of access
- Regular flushing should be practiced to control water temperature and prevent biofilm
- Water temperature should be kept below 25C (below 20C if vaccinating orally)
- Nipple height should be evaluated at least daily
- Nipple flow rate should be checked and increased at least weekly.
Moisture levels will normally be higher underneath the drinker lines, but should be maintained at no more than 35 percent.
At least 70 percent of water consumed by the birds ends up in the litter. A typical bird grown to 35 days consumes 6 liters during the cycle. A house of 40,000 birds will add approximately 170,000 liters of moisture to the litter – 7 percent of the volume in an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Capped litter traps unwanted moisture and noxious gases.Litter caps as a result of moisture buildup due to ineffective ventilation.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the only tool available to remove moisture. It is essential in controlling the environment, including air quality and temperature.
Minimum ventilation is pivotal in removing moisture from the house and providing the birds with their oxygen demand. Under ventilating during brooding will allow moisture to build in the litter, causing issues with capping and wet litter, usually toward the end of the third week. Adequately ventilating will help maintain the required moisture content of litter (30-35 percent).
Relative humidity
Relative humidity (RH) is a measure of the moisture holding capacity of the air. It should be kept below 70 percent at all times.
When the temperature of the incoming air is increased by 1C, the RH is decreased by 4-5 percent, raising its moisture holding capacity. Correct air speed is essential in achieving this.
When it comes to litter quality, there are many factors to consider. However, controlling the DRIVE is the key to achieving excellent broiler performance.
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