Influence of Litter Type and Size on Broiler Performance

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.