The motive of Litter is not only to absorb the excreta of Birds, It’s another important motive is to provide comfort to the birds. For Better growth Litter management is very much important. Litter also provides insulation from cold floor temperatures. So always use a sufficient quantity of Litter. Minimum 2 inch level & Can increase up to 3 inch or more.
Correct litter management is fundamental to bird health, performance and final carcass quality which completely impacts the profit of your Poultry farm.
All wet caked litter to be removed & to be changed immediately with dry litter.
It is never recommended to re-use the litter and there should be no water leakage either through drinkers or from another source.
Types of Litter-
Though several alternatives may be available for litter material, certain criteria should apply. The main feature of Litter must to be taken care, Litter must be absorbent, lightweight, easily available, and free from toxic and unwanted materials and must not be too expensive with easy availability.
Rice Hulls – an inexpensive option in some areas, rice hulls are a good and very popular litter alternative because of easy availability and absorption.
Pine Shavings – Excellent absorptive qualities. But must be free from hard wooden material.
Hardwood Shavings – May contain tannin which cause toxicity concerns and splinters that may cause crop damage. So if it is dry and free from toxins can be used easily.
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Sawdust – It is often high in moisture, prone to mold growth and chicks may consume it, which may cause aspergillosis. So make sure sawdust must be dry.
Chopped straw – wheat straw is preferred for absorptive qualities. But it tendency to cake in the first few weeks. So replace it if you issue caking problems. And must be used in form required fine powder.
Some Poultry Farmers use Sand, its 100% wrong practice, its tendency of birds to eat sand & it can cause health issues.
Always Prefer Rice Hull/Cover & must be very dry.
Racking- Daily racking is required to maintain the proper moisture content in control.
Potash Alum to reduce Ammonia & Contamination.
Many researches showed that adding 5 % of Alum by weight in Poultry Litter can reduce Ammonia Level by around 50-70 % . This is a proven scientific method to reduce Ammonia & reduce contamination in Poultry.
Below formulation is also very good for Complete Litter management.
92 Kg Very Dry Wood Powder/Rice Cover. Rice Hull
Bentonite 2 kg
Zeolite.1 Kg
Alum 5 kg
Copper Sulphate- 100 Gram
Many people thinks its extra cost,but many researches indicate the cost of additional material reduces ammonia production and reduce moisture content in litter.
