Alternative bedding materials and litter depth impact litter moisture and footpad dermatitis

A function of bedding material in poultry houses is to absorb and release moisture. New bedding is commonly placed at inadequate depths in houses. Pine shavings are the industry standard for bedding material in the majority of the United States, but can be hard to obtain or costly. Alternative materials were tested for moisture absorption and retention. Peat moss and chopped wheat straw were found to absorb nearly 8× and 7× their own weight in moisture, respectively. Peat moss was then used in a broiler study and compared to fresh and used pine shavings for 6 weeks. Body weight was lower at d 7 for the used litter and peat moss treatment compared to fresh shavings with no differences at d 42. No differences in ammonia generation or litter pH were observed. Litter moisture was higher for peat moss through d 14. Paws were better in the fresh shaving and peat moss pens than used shaving pens at both d 21 and 42. Next, different depths of used and fresh shavings on footpad dermatitis (FPD) were examined. Trials 1 and 2 compared 2.5, 7.6, and 12.7 cm of fresh shavings or used litter, respectively. In Trial 1, 2.5 cm had higher litter moisture than 7.6 and 12.7 cm at d 21, 28, and 35 (P < 0.05). The 12.7 cm had better paw scores than 2.5 cm at d 21 and 35 (P < 0.05). In Trial 2, 12.7 cm had lower litter moisture than 2.5 cm at d 28, 35, and 42 (P < 0.05). The paws in 12.7 cm were better than those in 2.5 cm at d 35 and 42 (P < 0.05). There was little difference in paw quality and litter moisture between 7.6 and 12.7 cm litter depth in both trials. Peat moss may be an acceptable alternative bedding material and should be evaluated on a commercial scale in areas where it can be obtained economically. These findings suggest that broiler houses should have at least 7.6 cm of litter to control litter moisture levels and reduce FPD.     

Evaluating the effects of bedding materials and elevated platforms on contact dermatitis and plumage cleanliness of commercial broilers and on litter condition in broiler houses

1. Experiment 1, comparing wood shavings and ground straw bedding with peat, was performed on 7 broiler farms over two consecutive batches during the winter season. Experiment 2, assessing the effect of elevated (30 cm) platforms, was conducted in three farms replicated with 6 consecutive batches.

2. Footpad lesions were inspected at slaughter following the Welfare Quality® (WQ) assessment and official programme. Hock lesions, plumage cleanliness and litter condition were assessed using the WQ assessment. Litter height, pH, moisture and ammonia were determined.

3. Footpad condition on wood shavings appeared to be worse compared with peat using both methods of assessment and was accompanied by inferior hock skin health. WQ assessment resulted in poorer footpad and hock skin condition on ground straw compared with peat. Farms differed in footpad and hock skin condition. Footpad and hock lesions were not affected by platform treatment. Peat appeared more friable than ground straw. The initial pH of wood shavings was higher and moisture was lower than in peat, but at the end of production period there were no differences. Ground straw exhibited higher initial and lower end pH, and was drier in the beginning than peat. Litter condition and quality were not affected by platform treatment.

4. This study provides new knowledge about the applicability of peat as broiler bedding and shows no negative effects of elevated platforms on litter condition or the occurrence of contact dermatitis in commercial environments. The results suggest a complicated relationship between litter condition, moisture and contact dermatitis. Furthermore, it is concluded that the farmer’s ability to manage litter conditions is important, regardless of the chosen litter material. Peat bedding was beneficial for footpad and hock skin health compared with wood shavings and ground straw.     

热应激条件下采用不同种类或不同处理方式的垫料对肉鸡生产性能和垫料质量性状的影响

本试验的目的是研究在热应激条件下,在树叶和碎玉米芯两种肉鸡垫料代用品的表面喷洒抗菌液或油,或者同时喷洒这两种液体后,对肉鸡生产性能产生的影响效果。将675羽1日龄混合性别Arian肉鸡随机分入45个圈(饲养密度为0.09平方米/羽),饲养在半开放式、部分条件可控的鸡舍内。鸡舍使用木刨花(WS)、碎玉米芯(GCC,长1.5厘米)和树叶3种垫料;选择一定数量鸡圈,在其垫料的表面喷洒动物食用级葵花油(0.4升/平方米)、抗菌液(浓度为3%),或者同时喷洒这两种液体。采集试验肉鸡的生产性能、胸部和足垫病变情况以及垫料的特性数据,并采用适当的析因模型对数据进行分析。研究表明,试验肉鸡56日龄体重、1～14日龄的采食量、28日龄时垫料含水量、14日龄时垫料pH值以及14及56日龄时的垫料温度,受垫料种类的显著影响(P<0.05);垫料处理可显著影响了试验肉鸡28、42及56日龄的体重、29～42日龄及1～42日龄的采食量、至56日龄的死亡率、28及56日龄时垫料温度和28及56日龄时垫料pH。研究表明,树叶和碎玉米芯可以作为合适的肉鸡垫料代用品。在垫料表面喷洒抗菌液、油以及同时喷洒这两种液体并不是促进肉鸡健康和提高其生产性能的有效方法。肉禽饲养者和大型联合企业是本研究成果主要的受益者。     

The effect of litter materials on broiler performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

1. Divergence in outcomes from studies on the effects of litter materials on body weight, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality in broilers has led to a need for a meta-analysis to quantify their effects.

2. A systematic search of published quantitative research relating to wood shavings and alternative bedding litters was conducted using databases.

3. Means, standard deviations and sample sizes were extracted from each study. The response variables were analysed using the standardised mean difference (SMD, control treatment minus alternative litters).

4. The literature demonstrated that alternative materials have no impact on feed intake in broilers, compared to wood shavings (SMD = 0.064, 95% CI = ?0.101–0.229, P = 0.44).

5. There was a positive overall effect of wood shavings on body weight (SMD = 0.253, 95% CI = 0.073–0.433, P = 0.006), feed conversion (SMD = ?0.169, 95% CI = ?0.327 – ?0.012, P = 0.03) and mortality (SMD = ?1.069, 95% CI = ?1.983 – ?0.155, P = 0.02) of broilers, compared to other litter types.

6. Subgroup meta-analysis revealed that straw, when used as an alternative litter material to wood shavings, may be responsible for lower body weight (SMD = 0.654, 95% CI = 0.162–1.146, P = 0.009), worse feed conversion (SMD = ?0.487, 95% CI = ?0.828 – ?0.145, P = 0.005) and higher mortality rates of broilers (SMD = ?3.25, 95% CI = ?5.681 – ?0.819, P = 0.009). Rice husks impaired body weight compared to wood shavings (SMD = 0.535, 95% CI = 0.065–1.004, P = 0.02).

7. It was concluded that different litter types do not affect the broilers’ feed intake. Conversely, broilers kept on straw showed lower body weights, worse feed conversion and higher mortality rates, in comparison to wood shavings. Rice husks decreased body weight compared to wood shavings.     

Evaluation of chopped switchgrass and chopped bermudagrass as litter materials over multiple heavy broiler flocks

Chopped switchgrass (SG) and chopped bermudagrass (BG) were evaluated as alternatives to pine shavings (PS) for broiler litter over 3 flocks. Twenty-four pens were filled with the 3 litter types. Live performance parameters included mortality, BW, BW gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion. Mortality was not different for litter type or flock. All other live variables were different (P < 0.0001) for flock. Mean foot pad scores (FPS) were only different (P < 0.0001) for flock. Litter performance variables included litter and cake moisture content (MC), pH, litter ammonia concentration, and cake nutrient values [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N–P–K)]. Litter and cake MC differed by litter type and flock (P < 0.0001). Litter MC was 1% lower for SG than BG or PS. Cake depth observations were similar for litter type. Litter pH differed by flock (P = 0.008) while cake pH differed for both litter type (P = 0.05) and flock (P < 0.0001). Beginning and ending litter ammonia concentration were different for flock (P < 0.0001). Potassium was different for both litter type (P = 0.04) and flock (P < 0.0001) while nitrogen and phosphorus differed only by flock (P < 0.0001). Chopped SG and BG performed as well as PS as a litter material over 3 grow-out cycles. Based on the results of this study, chopped grass materials appear to be a viable alternative to PS for broiler bedding.     

Utilization of phosphorus and certain other minerals from swine waste and broiler litter

Two trials were conducted with 15 wethers surgically equipped with duodenal and ileal cannulas to study the utilization of P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn from swine waste and broiler litter. For each trial, animals were fed a low-P basal diet until serum inorganic P averaged 5.5 mg/dl; then they were allotted at random to the following 50% DM ensiled diets: low-P basal, basal + swine waste, basal + broiler litter, basal + dicalcium phosphate and basal + soybean meal. Each trial consisted of a 7-d preliminary period, a 7-d collection of feces and urine and 6-d sampling of duodenal and ileal digesta and feces. Apparent P absorption was not different (P greater than .05) between sheep fed waste-supplemented diets (37%) and those fed the conventionally supplemented diets (28%). Phosphorus absorption, calculated by difference, tended (P less than .1) to be higher from the waste supplements (59%) than from dicalcium phosphate and soybean meal (37%). Less (P less than .05) Ca was absorbed from the waste diets (.62 g/d) than from the conventional diets (1.28 g/d). More (P less than .05) Cu (mg/d) was absorbed from the waste diets, but no difference was found when absorption was expressed as percentage of intake. Broiler litter and swine waste were good sources of available P and Mg for ruminants.     

Pathogen re-colonization of in-house composted and noncomposted broiler litter

In-house litter composting has been reintroduced to the industry and shown to reduce bacteria by as much as 2 orders of magnitude. Other industries have demonstrated that pathogens can recolonize a waste-residual when microbial competition has been reduced or inhibited following composting. Poultry growers, in the process of shifting to in-house composting for pathogen control, should be aware of this potential problem. A laboratory microcosm study investigated pathogenic bacteria recolonization into composted and noncomposted broiler litter over a simulated broiler grow-out cycle. Objectives were to: 1) determine colonization potential for zoonotic and poultry bacterial pathogens, 2) identify beneficial bacteria which reduce pathogen recolonization, and 3) identify the effects of ammonia on pathogen recolonization. Composted broiler litter allowedListeria andCampylobacter to colonize within the first 2 wk of the grow-out period while noncomposted litter resisted colonization. Colonization was nearly identical by the end of the grow-out period, and showed that bacterial pathogens had essentially been overtaken by commensal or normal bacteria. 16S rRNA libraries demonstrated reductions in Proteobacteria associated with composted litter (48 vs. 16%), which may indicate that this phylum occupies a niche which zoonotic pathogens prefer to occupy. Ammonia generation neither inhibited nor promoted bacterial colonization, as levels were high for both litter treatments. This study neither suggests nor condemns the continued use of this cost-effective, litter-treatment process; findings suggest that while the beneficial microbial population was initially reduced, it quickly recovered and pathogen colonization was neither enhanced nor inhibited because of this. This study demonstrates that the recently adopted in-house composting process may continue to be used, provided poultry health gains continue to be seen.     

Evaluation of different litter materials for broiler production in a hot and humid environment: 2. Productive performance and carcass characteristics

The availability of wood by-products for bedding material is falling in many regions due to rising demand for other uses. The objective of this study was to evaluate six alternative litter sources—river bed sand, coconut husk, rice hulls, Guinea grass, newspaper, and corncob—as a substitute for wood shavings (WS). The trial was carried out over 35 days in an open-sided and naturally ventilated broiler house under conditions of high ambient temperatures and relative humidity. During the brooding period (0 to 14 days), chicks raised on grass had lower (P?<?0.05) footpad temperature than those grown on WS. After the brooding period (15 to 35 days), the temperatures of both litter and birds were higher (P?<?0.05) for coconut husk than for WS. Grass litter resulted in lower (P?<?0.05) final BW, FCR, and production efficiency. Sand and rice hulls were associated with lower (P?<?0.05) survival rate and higher (P?<?0.05) gizzard weight. Litter type did not affect carcass and meat yields. The footpad dermatitis score, associating incidence and severity, was not statistically different among the litter substrates tested, although numerically higher in coconut husk, grass, and corncob. The results obtained in this experiment indicate that, in a hot and humid environment, all materials except grass can be used as a substitute for wood shavings with comparable production efficiency.     

Dietary supplementation with acidifiers improves the growth performance,meat quality and intestinal health of broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary supplementation with acidifiers on the growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health of broiler chickens. A total of 648 male Arbor Acres broiler chickens at 1 d old were randomly divided into 6 groups, and each group consisted of 6 replicates with 18 broilers per replicate. The dietary treatments were as follows: negative control (NC, the basal diet), NC + antibiotic (enramycin, 8 mg/kg, positive control [PC]), NC + phosphoric acid (PA, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g/kg), and NC + lactic acid (LA, 0.3 g/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 42 d. The results showed that the feed-to-gain ratio of the NC + acidifier groups was lower than that of the NC and PC groups from 1 to 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the values in the NC group, the pH of breast muscle was significantly higher in the NC + PA (0.2 g/kg) and LA (0.3 g/kg) groups (P < 0.05), and the cooking loss was lower in the breast muscle of the NC + PA (0.1 g/kg) and LA (0.3 g/kg) groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the shear force of the breast muscle and thigh muscle and the pH value in the crop, gizzard and duodenum of the antibiotic and acidifier groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase activities of the duodenum in the NC + PA (0.2 and 0.3 g/kg) groups, as well as the villus height-to-crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio of the duodenum in the NC + PA (0.1 g/kg) group was significantly greater (P < 0.05) compared with those in the NC group. Meanwhile, the number of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella in the cecum of the NC + PA (0.1 g/kg) and LA (0.3 g/kg) groups were decreased (P < 0.05). Collectively, diet supplementation with acidifiers could improve the growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health of broilers, in which the effects of PA (0.1 g/kg and 0.2 g/kg) are better than the other supplementations.     

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum: Its effectiveness as an alternative bedding material for broiler production

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum may be a viable low-cost alternative bedding material for broiler production. In order to evaluate FGD gypsum’s viability, a study was conducted to determine its influence on live performance (body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, and footpad dermatitis), litter characteristics (caking, moisture percentage, and surface temperature) and ammonia volatilization in 3 successive flocks. FGD gypsum was compared with pine shaving (PS), pine bark (PB), PS + FGD gypsum (second material was top dressed over first), PB + FGD gypsum, PS + PB, FGD gypsum + PS, and FGD gypsum + PB. Bedding had no significant influence on feed consumption (FC), feed efficiency (FE), and mortality (M). Body weight and adjusted feed efficiency (AFE) were significantly lower with FGD gypsum compared to that of PS for flock 1, with no differences being observed among the other bedding materials. No differences were noted in live performance for flocks 2 or 3. Incidences of footpad lesions were lower with FGD gypsum than the other bedding materials, but only for flock 1. Bedding treatment had no influence on litter surface temperature. Gravimetric moisture content of gypsum treatments was lower than that of non-gypsum treatments; however, visually, the FGD gypsum was more compacted and had a surface crust. Reductions in ammonia volatilization also were observed during the initial flock with FGD gypsum; however, its effectiveness had diminished by flock 2 and 3.     

Effect of dietary copper on litter microbial population and broiler performance

Proprietary broiler diets, containing added copper (125 mg/kg) as sulphate, were fed to broilers in 4 trials (32 pens each) over a one year period without a change of litter. Mould counts in the litter of pens containing birds fed the standard diets decreased to 2 X 10(3) propagules per g in trial 4. Those in the pens with birds fed the diets containing supplemental copper decreased to 6 X 10(2) propagules per g. Litter bacterial counts (10(7) organisms/g) were not affected by dietary copper. Litter copper concentrations in pens where the birds were fed supplemented diets increased significantly to more than 600 mg/kg in trial 4. Dietary copper sulphate addition significantly increased broiler weight gains at 7 weeks in trials 3 and 4 (P less than 0.05) and the efficiency of food utilisation was significantly improved in trial 4. The copper content of the chicks' livers remained unchanged. It is suggested that broiler performance may be independent of dietary copper content. Litter copper concentrations and litter microbial alterations may be important factors.