Impact of acidified clay and sodium bisulfate on litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts and broiler footpad dermatitis

Authors: PAYNE, JOSH - Poultry Guard Litter Amendment; Miles, Dana; MONCADA, K - Pilgrim'S; GARDNER, K - Pilgrim'S

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2025
Publication Date: 9/2/2025
Citation: Payne, J., Miles, D.M., Moncada, K.L., Gardner, K. 2025. Impact of acidified clay and sodium bisulfate on litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts and broiler footpad dermatitis. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 34(2025):100597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2025.100597.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2025.100597

Interpretive Summary: Acidified clay and sodium bisulfate are common litter amendments utilized to control ammonia and lower pH in poultry litter. Ammonia can be detrimental to poultry and farm worker health as well as the environment. Three separate pen trials were conducted on a commercial broiler farm to compare the efficacy of both amendments for controlling litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts (APC), and improving footpad lesions in broilers. Day-old broiler chicks (2400 per trial) were placed in pens on used pine shavings to compare no amendment, acidified clay, and sodium bisulfate. During the first 6 days, litter pH, APC, surface ammonia concentration, and ammonia release over time (flux) were measured. Broiler footpad lesion scores were assessed on day 38 at the end of the flocks. Ammonia, pH, total APC, and ammonia flux values were significantly lower in treated litter compared to values in the untreated. On day 1, ammonia, pH and total APC values in the acidified clay treated litter were lower than values in the sodium bisulfate treated litter. Average footpad lesion scores we greatest with no treatment, less with sodium bisulfate, and least with acidified clay treatment. Both litter amendments proved effective for controlling ammonia, pH, total APC, and improving footpad dermatitis, supporting greater broiler rearing efficiency, productivity, and marketable broiler paws.

Technical Abstract: Acidified clay and sodium bisulfate are common litter amendments utilized to control ammonia and lower pH in poultry litter. Three separate pen trials were conducted to compare the efficacy of both amendments for controlling litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts (APC), and improving footpad lesions in commercial broilers. A commercial broiler research farm was chosen as the test site. Day-old broiler chicks were placed in 40 pens (60 per pen for a total of 2400 birds) on used pine shavings. Pens were blocked within the house. Prior to placement pens were de-caked and top dressed as necessary. Treatments consisted of (1) control; (2) acidified clay and (3) sodium bisulfate. Composite litter surface samples were collected from each pen and analyzed for pH and APC on days 0-5. Litter surface ammonia concentrations were measured on days 0-5. Ammonia flux measurements were recorded on days 3 and 6. Broiler footpad lesion scores were assessed on day 38. Ammonia, pH, total APC, and ammonia flux values were significantly lower in treated litter compared to values in the control. On day 1, ammonia, pH and total APC values in the acidified clay treated litter were lower than values in the sodium bisulfate treated litter. Average footpad lesion scores within a pen were significantly higher in the control group as compared to the acidified clay and sodium bisulfate groups. Additionally, average footpad lesion scores were significantly higher in the sodium bisulfate group as compared to the acidified clay group. Both litter amendments proved effective for controlling ammonia, pH, total APC, and improving footpad dermatitis, supporting greater broiler rearing efficiency, productivity, and marketable broiler paws.