Search

The influence of broiler age, litter type, and particle size was studied to determine their effects on litter consumption in two battery trials involving 240 broilers each. In Experiment 1, broilers were provided no litter, wood chips, sawdust, wood fibers, processed newspaper, or newspaper fibers ad libitum from 1 to 49 days of age. In Experiment 2, sawdust was provided free choice daily as the only litter source to broilers starting at 1, 7, or 14 days of age until the 21st day. Broilers consumed significantly greater quantities of sawdust and wood fibers than other litter types and sizes. The consumption rate of all materials decreased after 21 days of age. In Experiment 2, consumption of sawdust was highest when provided any time up to 14 days of age. Based on litter intake and the presence of litter in the gizzards, the data revealed significantly greater consumption of sawdust and high concentrations of sawdust in the gizzard; broilers provided wood fibers also had high intakes but low levels in the gizzard; consumption of wood chips was low but the particles were present in the gizzard; and consumption of newspaper based litter was low and little foreign material was found in the gizzard.

In three floor pen trials involving a total of 14,400 broilers, three particle sizes of processed newspaper (PN) were compared to sawdust as broiler litter. Litter treatments consisted of: hardwood sawdust (SD) as a control, a large particle processed newspaper (L-PN) ranging from 1.27 to 2.54 cm diameter, a medium size (M-PN) of .64 to 1.27 cm, and a small size (S-PN) with particles less than .64 cm diameter. The M-PN and S-PN were used both as a base layer and as a topping agent over a SD base in Trials 2 and 3. In all trials, broilers reared on the S-PN and M-PN used as a base or as a topping had numerically or statistically improved body weights over SD at 10, 28, and 49 days of age. In addition, the birds reared on SD had significantly higher mortality than all other treatments in Trial 2. Litter treatment had no significant effect on feed efficiency, litter cake, or total disease condemnations. The effect on conformation was not consistent between trials. The incidence of breast blisters was comparable to that of SD when the particle size of PN was reduced or when the PN was used as a topping. Broilers reared on PN had improved feathering, but the intensity of yellow color of the skin was reduced more than for broilers reared on SD.

Litter-Aid, a product consisting primarily of ferrous sulfate but also containing propionic acid and magnesium and copper sulfate was incorporated into litter at three application rates (0, .73, and 1.46 kg/m2) to determine its effects on broiler chicken performance and various aspects of litter quality. In Trial 1, litter treatments were applied to litter used for two previous flocks with a 10-week layout period. In Trial 1, there were 10 replicate pens of 175 birds per treatment. In Trial 2, litter used in Trial 1 was retreated, after a 26-week layout period, at the same application rates as Trial 1 with five replicate pens of 175 birds per treatment. This product in Trial 1 at .73 kg/m2 and in Trial 2 at 1.46 kg/m2 significantly (P less than .05) increased body weight without affecting feed conversion or mortality. The product did not significantly (P less than .05) affect litter moisture or litter nitrogen levels, but significantly (P less than .05) decreased litter pH. However, even at the application rate of 1.46 kg/m2, litter pH values rose above 8 as the birds reached 7 weeks of age. This product had no effect on bacteria counts and significantly (P less than .05) increased mold counts. These data indicate that Litter-Aid can be used without detrimental effects on broiler performance or litter quality.

The suitability of three types of recycled paper products for use as broiler litter was studied in three trials using a total of 9,600 broilers. Litter, consisting of hardwood sawdust (SD) as a control, shredded newspaper (SN), processed newspaper (PN), or processed cardboard (PC), was placed in each of four replicate pens in the first trial and reused in subsequent trials. Body weights at 28 and 49 days were significantly influenced by treatment with broilers reared on SN weighing more than SD controls. Broilers on PC were the lightest. Statistically, the PN broilers were heavier than SD broilers at 28 days but similar to controls by market age. Feed conversion was improved with SN at 28 days but did not differ by 49 days. Mortality was not significantly affected by litter material. The moisture content of paper litters was numerically higher than that of the SD control with significantly greater litter caking occurring in the paper litters. However, only broilers on PC had a greater incidence of breast blisters. Overall and total disease condemnation were not influenced by litter material. Skin color scores were improved with the PN treatment.

The effect of floor types on the incidence of feather follicle infection and breast blisters in caged broilers was investigated in two trials. Broilers were reared on corn-soybean meal diets with warm-room brooding. Floor types included litter (control), wire, wire covered with various types of plastic mats, and wire woven with surgical tubing. In trial 1, the effect of a coccidiostat (monensin, 120 mg/kg of feed) was investigated for broilers not on litter, and in trial 2, the effect of supplemental zinc was investigated. Broilers were processed in the laboratory processing plant when they were 51 (trial 1) and 53 days old (trial 2). Carcasses were evaluated for the occurrence of fleshing downgrades, crooked keels, feather follicle infection, and breast blisters. Incidence of feather follicle infection was low for broilers on litter or wire floor and high for broilers reared on plastic mats. Breast blister incidence was low for broilers on litter and plastic mats and was high for broilers on the wire floor. Overall carcass quality for litter (control) was superior to any of the cage treatments. Neither the coccidiostat nor supplemental zinc affected the incidence of breast blisters or feather follicle infection.