Keeping the litter dry to make a profit

摘要

Litter quality is such an important part of the net profit factor in today's broiler chicken industry that it needs maximum attention. There are many reasons why litter becomes too wet and answers how to keep litter dry. World Poultry dives into litter managementAfter hatching, when the chicks are placed in the growing house the mostimportant aspect after housetemperature and correct feed and water availability, is litter management, keeping the litter dry. Basically, one must know, when the litter is 'wet'. What constitutes wet litter? Better still, let's define it as, 'A physical state in which the bedding contains too much moisture'. How much is too much? 20-25% moisture is considered good. 26-39% will give problems and cost you losses and 40+% is really a disaster. One usually sees the first signs of moisture underneath the nipple lines and it spreads outfrom there. Even before it reaches the 20% level one can see a damp wet slipperysurface on the top of the litter and shortly afterwards a crust beginning to form. This occurs basically due to poor levels of management, not only by the stockman as there are other factors beyond his control that can also contribute to what is happening.