Litter Management
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Publication
Broiler Litter: Odor and Moisture Concerns (P3515)
Broilers in the U.S. are raised in houses with earthen floors on litter material (often reused multiple times) composed of an initial bedding material (pine shavings, rice hulls, peanut hulls, etc.) mixed with feathers, spilled feed, water, and manure. In general, litter is a loose, friable,... Continue reading...
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Publication
Windrow Composting Broiler Litter between Flocks (P2818)
Windrow composting broiler litter between flocks has become an accepted and increasingly popular method for reducing the microbial loads in broiler houses. Integrators and growers have discovered that windrowing litter can improve bird performance and reduce the likelihood of disease spread when a... Continue reading...
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Publication
Nutrient Content in Mississippi Broiler Litter (P2878)
Introduction Mississippi has about 1,450 poultry farms producing 762 million broilers per year that are processed and shipped locally, across the country, and around the world. Poultry has been leading the state as the largest agricultural commodity for 20 straight years. In 2013 alone, farmers... Continue reading...
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Publication
Managing Litter Moisture in Broiler Houses with Built-Up Litter (P2744)
Moisture is the key factor influencing litter quality in broiler houses. The higher the moisture level, the longer bacteria are able to survive in the litter. For example, in dry litter, bacteria may survive only a few hours or days, while in wet litter, survival may extend up to several weeks.... Continue reading...