Influence of Litter Type and Size on Broiler Performance

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.