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Abstract
High litter moisture (> 25%, “wet litter”) has been strongly correlated with increased footpad lesion development, higher ammonia production, reduced broiler performance and reduced carcass yield. Although there are methods to help reduce the occurrence of high litter moisture such as ventilation and proper drinker management, these methods may need to evolve due to changes in broiler production. As the broiler industry transitions more towards antibiotic-free production and increases its focus on bird health and welfare, reducing the occurrence of wet litter will be important.
The objectives of this research were to explore additional litter management strategies. The first two studies evaluated whether the combination of maintaining a house relative humidity (Rh) between 50% and 60% supplied with continuous air movement over the litter surface (150 ft/min) had an effect on litter moisture and footpad health. It was then followed up with a third study that evaluated whether drinker trays could eliminate the occurrence of wet litter beneath drinker lines.
Maintaining a Rh between 50% to 60% supplied with continuous air movement over the litter surface (150 ft/min) resulted in drier (< 25%), more uniform litter conditions, more uniform bird distribution, and up to 50% less footpad lesions versus a house with either no air movement or low air movement (< 50 ft/min). The results from the drinker system study showed litter beneath drinker lines with trays was lower in moisture and water activity, a measure of potential bacterial growth (Aw), for the entire flock (moisture below 25% for up to 21 days, Aw below 0.84 for up to 14 days), had less footpad lesions, and did not appear to increase a birds’ exposure to Salmonella or Pseudomonas versus drinker lines without trays.
The objectives of this research were to explore additional litter management strategies. The first two studies evaluated whether the combination of maintaining a house relative humidity (Rh) between 50% and 60% supplied with continuous air movement over the litter surface (150 ft/min) had an effect on litter moisture and footpad health. It was then followed up with a third study that evaluated whether drinker trays could eliminate the occurrence of wet litter beneath drinker lines.
Maintaining a Rh between 50% to 60% supplied with continuous air movement over the litter surface (150 ft/min) resulted in drier (< 25%), more uniform litter conditions, more uniform bird distribution, and up to 50% less footpad lesions versus a house with either no air movement or low air movement (< 50 ft/min). The results from the drinker system study showed litter beneath drinker lines with trays was lower in moisture and water activity, a measure of potential bacterial growth (Aw), for the entire flock (moisture below 25% for up to 21 days, Aw below 0.84 for up to 14 days), had less footpad lesions, and did not appear to increase a birds’ exposure to Salmonella or Pseudomonas versus drinker lines without trays.