TY - BOOK
T1 - Effects of peat as a litter material on ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses
AU - Dong, Shutong
AU - van Harn, Jan
AU - De Baere, Kris
AU - Kempen, Ine
AU - Winkel, Albert
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - This report describes the results of a study conducted by Wageningen Livestock Research and Proefbedrijf Pluimveehouderij in Geel, Belgium, in collaboration with the Poultry Expertise Centre, to ascertain the potential of peat as litter material in reducing ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses in comparison to white wood shavings (reference litter material). Other variables measured included personal dust exposure, zootechnical performance, litter quality, litter composition and animal welfare. Rooms with peat litter had an ammonia emission of (12.81 g animal place-1 year-1), which was significantly higher than those with wood shavings (4.75 g animal place-1 year-1). The litter material had no influence on zootechnical performance (body weight, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, mortality) and the final litter composition (total N, ammonium N, P, K, ash, dry matter content, pH). However, broilers kept on peat litter had fewer footpad lesions and hock dermatitis than broilers kept on wood shavings. The results from this work indicated that peat litter does not reduce ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses compared with wood shavings, probably due to being less wet and more friable, but it could improve animal welfare.
AB - This report describes the results of a study conducted by Wageningen Livestock Research and Proefbedrijf Pluimveehouderij in Geel, Belgium, in collaboration with the Poultry Expertise Centre, to ascertain the potential of peat as litter material in reducing ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses in comparison to white wood shavings (reference litter material). Other variables measured included personal dust exposure, zootechnical performance, litter quality, litter composition and animal welfare. Rooms with peat litter had an ammonia emission of (12.81 g animal place-1 year-1), which was significantly higher than those with wood shavings (4.75 g animal place-1 year-1). The litter material had no influence on zootechnical performance (body weight, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, mortality) and the final litter composition (total N, ammonium N, P, K, ash, dry matter content, pH). However, broilers kept on peat litter had fewer footpad lesions and hock dermatitis than broilers kept on wood shavings. The results from this work indicated that peat litter does not reduce ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses compared with wood shavings, probably due to being less wet and more friable, but it could improve animal welfare.
UR - https://edepot.wur.nl/679212
U2 - 10.18174/679212
DO - 10.18174/679212
M3 - Report
T3 - Report / Wageningen Livestock Research
BT - Effects of peat as a litter material on ammonia emissions from experimental broiler houses
PB - Wageningen Livestock Research
CY - Wageningen
ER -