Ammonia emissions from broiler litter: response to bedding materials and acidifiers

Abstract

1. In a pen study, NH₃ flux estimates were performed when clean wheat straw or wood shavings were used as bedding materials in combination with two NH₃ control amendments: sodium bisulphate and a commercial premix of phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids.

2. Ammonia emissions from wood shavings were 19% greater than from wheat straw around waterers, but statistically similar around feeders. These results could be due to the greater caking observed when wheat straw was used.

3. Sodium bisulphate reduced NH₃ emissions significantly only in the first half of the rearing period; the loss of efficacy in the second half resulted in total NH₃ volatilisation not statistically different from the untreated control. The treatment containing phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids did not have a significant effect in decreasing NH₃ emissions.

4. Bird mortality was not affected by the treatments, but broiler weight gain when wheat straw was used was significantly lower than with wood shavings, which could have been caused by the greater caking observed with wheat straw.

Acknowledgement

This study was financed by the US Poultry and Egg Association.