Effect of floor type (dirt or concrete) on litter quality, house environmental conditions, and performance of broilers

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the use of concrete or hard-packed dirt floor in broiler houses. This experiment was carried out in two different phases. The following performance parameters were studied: live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality. Litter moisture, pH and temperature were measured. Litter residual contamination after cleaning and disinfection was also evaluated. A dry bulb thermometer, a wet bulb thermometer, and a black bulb thermometer were placed inside each broiler house at bird height and outside the broiler house for data collection. Environmental data were collected at 3h intervals from 00:00 to 24:00 hours during weeks 4, 5, and 6 of the grow-out. Based on the collected data, air relative humidity (RH) was determined, after which wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and Radiant Heat Load (RHL) were calculated. There were no differences in live performance parameters. However, total mortality and sudden death were higher in birds raised on dirt floor. On days 0, 14 and 35, litter pH was higher in the dirt floor as compared to the concrete floor, but at the end of the grow-out, this difference disappeared. There was a cubic effect of bird age on litter moisture, which increased up to day 28, and then stabilized or decreased. Litter coliform contamination was higher at the end of the grow-out as compared to that found at housing, but it was not influenced by floor type. The general thermal comfort of broiler raised on dirt floor was similar to that of broilers raised on concrete floor.

Broiler-Housing Conditions Affect the Performance

“…Blue curtains were selected in the more parsimonious model, explaining lower mortality (although not significant) and birds raised in houses with blue curtains achieved a significantly better cFCR than those raised in houses equipped with yellow curtains. Present results are in contradiction with those obtained by (Abreu et al, 2011), who found that broilers reared in houses with yellow curtains presented on average the best FCR (although this depended on flock, season and lighting program). The main difference between studies relies on the number of birds; while Abreu et al (2011) conducted their study on experimental conditions (200 birds per flock, n=6), we used a more realistic approach by providing data on commercial houses.…”

“…Curtains: Although the curtain colors could, at first, appear anecdotic, some studies highlighted its importance on birds' growth and welfare (Olanrewaju et al, 2006;Abreu et al, 2011). Blue curtains were selected in the more parsimonious model, explaining lower mortality (although not significant) and birds raised in houses with blue curtains achieved a significantly better cFCR than those raised in houses equipped with yellow curtains.…”

“…Several aspects of broiler production have been overlooked such as food quality/quantity (Weeks et al, 2000;Apajalahti et al, 2004) and breeder (Griffin & Goddard, 1994), in the same way as little is known about the role of different features of sheds in improving production. Some studies have focused in these gaps (Abreu et al, 2011), such as, performance in concrete floor or cage (Swain et al, 2002;Santos et al, 2012). No consensus has been obtained regarding the floor that should be used to maximize growth while maintaining welfare and meat quality.…”

Poultry litter and the environment: Physiochemical properties of litter and soil during successive flock rotations and after remote site deposition

“…Some production facilities utilize concrete floors in broiler houses, while others employ hard-packed dirt. It seems intuitive that concrete floors would decrease leaching of contaminates into the soil below, and while this floor type increases building costs it may also positively affect bird health by decreasing mortality without impacting live bird performance(Abreu et al 2011). The European Union also requires a total house clean-out between each grow-out, which would be a mitigating management strategy to avoid build-up of potential pollutants (EU-Council 2007).…”

Perubahan Mikroklimatik Amonia Dan Kondisi Litter Ayam Broiler Periode Starter Akibat Panjang Kandang Yang Berbeda

“…Nitrogen yang pada dasarnya bersifat basa, akan meningkatkan pH apabila bercampur dengan litter. Abreu et al (2011) menyatakan bahwa tingginya kandungan N ekskreta yang terdapat pada litter dapat memicu peningkatan pH litter. N ekskreta dalam bentuk uric acid akan dikonversi oleh bakteri ureolitik dengan didukung kondisi lingkungan (H2O dan O2) sehingga menghasilkan NH3 dan CO2.…”