Effects of Applying Two Chemical Additives to the Litter on Nitrogen and Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Contents of Litter in Broiler House

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the effects of two chemical additives on nitrogen (N) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) contents in litter (rice hull) after broiler chicks were raised for 42 days. Two different additives were applied as a top dressing to the litter at a rate of 200 g ferrous sulfate (FeSO_4) or 200 g aluminum sulfate [Al_2(SO_4)_3 centre dot 14H_2O, Alum] per kg litter, while the control group did not have the two chemicals added to the litter. A total of 64 broiler chicks(4 treatments x 4 replicates x 4 birds) were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks. There was no difference in pH between the two chemical treatments and control group, but SRP content was significantly affected on it (PO.01). SRP contents from ferroussulfate and alum treated litter at 6 weeks were reduced by 79% and 60%, respectively, as the two chemical treatments decreased the pH compared to the control group. In the ferrous sulfate treated litter, EC, TC, NH_4-N, NO_3-N, and IN contents did not show any difference between FeSO_4 treatment and control. However, the differences between FeSO_4 treatment and control were found in moisture, TN, ON, AN, PAN, C:N, and C:ON contents (P0.01). As seen in the alum treated litter, there were differences in moisture, TC, TN, NHt-N, IN, AN, PAN, and C:N contents between alum treatment and control (P<0.05 and 0.01) but no differences in EC, NO_3-N, ON, and C:ON. In conclusion, the results of this research show that ferrous sulfate and alum-treatment of poultrylitter has the potential to increase N and reduce SRP content by lowering litter pH and moisture content.