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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345856
Title: Mineral composition of litter in commercial broiler houses

Author
item Miles, Dana
item Brooks, John
item Moore, Philip

Submitted to: International Journal of Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2018
Publication Date: 1/15/2018
Citation: Miles, D.M., Brooks, J.P., Moore Jr, P.A. 2018. Mineral composition of litter in commercial broiler houses. International Journal of Poultry Science. 17(2)85-91.

Interpretive Summary: The overall aim was to assess broiler litter mineral content originating from U.S. commercial broiler houses and to determine how mineral content varies with bird age, season, as well as location within houses. Over a period of four years, approximately 1100 litter samples were collected in a grid pattern within four U.S. commercial broiler houses. During each flock, samples were collected at chick placement, mid-flock, and at market age. The average concentrations for the primary minerals were (g kg-1): Ca 23.7; K 35.4; Mg 8.1; Na 10.9; and P 16.6; the secondary minerals were (mg kg-1): Cu 730; Fe 1120; Mn 730; and Zn 550. Minerals content decreased with bird age. Summer mineral content was greater than winter at all sampling ages. At market age, mineral concentrations were greater in the cooling pad and brood areas but least near the fans. Litter minerals were greater near walls when compared to the center of houses. Bird age, season and location within commercial broiler houses affect concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in broiler litter. Range of actual values of litter mineral content was presented for the poultry industry, fertilizer clients, and litter-to-energy end users.

Technical Abstract: The overall aim was to assess broiler litter mineral content originating from U.S. commercial broiler houses and to determine how mineral content varies with season, as well as location within houses. Over a period of four years, approximately 1100 litter samples were collected in a grid pattern within four U.S. commercial broiler houses. The sources of variation, on which analysis of variance was based, included season (winter vs. summer), bird age (placement, mid-flock, market), and location within the house (across, lengthwise). The range of concentrations for the primary minerals were (g kg-1): Ca 23.7 ± 8.6; K 35.4 ± 9.1; Mg 8.1 ± 2.4; Na 10.9 ± 3.3; and P 16.6 ± 4.6. The secondary minerals were (mg kg-1): Cu 730 ± 360; Fe 1120 ± 560; Mn 730 ± 216; and Zn 550 ± 150. Summer mineral content was greater at all sampling ages. At market age, mineral concentrations were greater in the cooling pad and brood areas but least in the near the fans. Litter minerals were greater near walls when compared to the center of houses. Season and location within commercial broiler houses affect concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in broiler litter. Range of actual values of litter mineral content was presented for the poultry industry, fertilizer clients, and litter-to-energy end users.