Researching the benefits of windrowing broiler litter
USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have announced the completion of a funded research project at the University of Arkansas on the benefits of windrowing broiler litter. The project is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
Dr Yi Liang, University of Arkansas, and a group of researchers from the University of Arkansas, Oklahoma State University, and Mississippi State University recently completed the project which evaluated the effect of in-house broiler litter windrowing on several important production and environmental factors.
Potential pathogens, such as Clostridium spp. and E. coli were reduced below detection limits after windrowing. The moisture content of litter was reduced significantly by windrowing and the quality of the paws (paw score) improved in the windrowed houses. Water soluble phosphorous levels were very similar in windrowed and non-windrowed litter. Windrowing did not eliminate ammonia emissions from the litter.
Overall, the windrow process provided a positive effect to most of the parameters studied and provided no negative effects. It provides producers an option for reducing potential pathogens in the broiler house, reducing litter moisture, and improving paw quality.
A detailed summary can be found here.
