Litter Management is Flock Health Management AQUINAC MEETING November 16, 2016 Gary Hall
Commercial Turkey Housing Range Bronze Turkeys 1940 s
Progress Transition between porch and pole house 1945
Early Years of Turkey Processing Bird on right fed improved diet 1950 Photos circa 1930, 1947
Progress Confinement Housing Barns 1975 Curtain Sided Barns 1985
Solid Sided Tunnel Barn 2016
Today s Turkey
Genetic Progress in Turkeys Today 98 days for 11 kg turkey FCR 2,13:1 1960 196 days for 11 kg turkey Mortality up to 112 days 5.1% FCR 4,2:1 Mortality up to 112 days 6.8% Source: Dr. K. Krueger, 2010
Litter moisture Litter is basically a sponge A sponge has limited moisture holding capacity Birds are constantly adding moisture to the sponge If we don t ventilate properly, the sponge will become saturated and wet CAKED LITTER =
Today minimum ventilation Czarick, 2008 Humidity levels maintained < 60-65% Controlling humidity = controlling ammonia and carbon gases
Observe, take time to notice the little things. Temperature and humidity
Must stop unwanted air flow www.poultryhouse.com
85º 75º 82º 78º
Gases : Affect Bird Behavior Early poult mortality (roundheart, starve-outs) increased when : - Carbon Dioxide Greater than 2,500 ppm - Carbon Monoxide Greater than 20 ppm Inactive poults : - affects conversion of glycogen to glucose - can lead to poor gut health POOR WEIGHT GAINS
High Carbon Dioxide: what to look for Litter tacky, glasses fog up, light headed Air feels stale and heavy, often too warm Caused by inadequate ventilation Footpad caking
Effects of Environment : Ammonia 1. As little as 10 ppm causes damage Goal = 25 ppm. (Welfare guidelines) 2. Direct immunosuppression 3. destroys cilia in the windpipe allowing more dust to enter the airsacs
Remember : Airsacs Connected to Bones
State of the Art in its day
No matter the water type it has to be managed
Drinker management Availability Stocking densities Height, pressure, move Sanitation
To much water depth
LITTER QUALITY Move the drinkers on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of wet litter.
Wet Conditions Produce High levels of Bacteria Growth and Disease
ph Reduction Controlling ph Overall growth ranges of microorganisms: Ideal ph Range for Pathogen Reduction Yeasts Bacteria Molds Salmonella, Clostridium, Campylobacter E. Coli Ammonia producing 0 2 4 7 9 ph Keep ph low to inhibit bacterial growth! 14
Bedding Material Bedding material typically used by the industry is increasingly expensive and difficult to secure. As a result, there are situations where inadequate amounts of shavings are being placed in turkey houses that routinely cleanout and the material is often spread unevenly throughout the house.
Bedding Material Litter plays an important role in moisture management within the turkey barn. It acts as a sponge absorbing moisture and allowing for the dilution of fecal material. The deeper the layer of litter, the more moisture it can absorb before the surface of the material becomes saturated. Litter must not only be able to absorb moisture but it should also have a reasonable drying time to get rid of that moisture via evaporation.
Bedding Material With regards to moisture absorption and drying time, not all bedding materials are created equal. Ground door filler and mortar sand has better FPD scores than birds raised on pine shavings, bark, chipped pine, ground hardwood pallets, chopped straw, or cotton- gin trash. It was concluded that the moisture absorption capacity of the ground door filler and the mortar sand s ability to release moisture rapidly was superior to the other materials and contributed to better foot pads. Ultimately bedding material use depends on cost and availability, but when possible, materials with smaller particle sizes should be used as they have been shown to produce cleaner foot pads.
Which kind of litter?
Different Types of Litter Litter Density Absorption Straw 100 kg/m 3 3 to 4 times Small Straw 80 à 100 kg/m 3 3 times Shavings 100 kg/m 3 4.5 times Rice Hauls 70 kg/m 3 1.5 times Corn-based 360-460 kg/m 3 1.5 times
Differents Types of Litter Differents Types of Litter Pros Cons Straw Shavings Availability Sub-product Bio-Security Bio-security Footpad Dermatites Availability Costs «Pellets» Good absorption Similar to the feed pellet Rice Hauls Cereals pods Corn-based Good mix with Shavings Sub-product No «donuts» Sub-product No dust Availability Dusty Cost Bio-security Similar to the feed pellet. Cost Availability No litter Cheap Welfare (dermatitis)
Litter amendments Products typically used: PLT Poultry Guard AL Clear+ Klasp Action of amendments: Ammonia ph moisture microbes in litter - including Salmonella Westerman, Shah, Parsons. NC State Univ. 2006 Litter treatments are most effective when minimum ventilation is managed properly. Poor ventilation will rapidly exhaust the litter treatment. Auburn Univ., Newsletter,, No. 14, Nov 2001
Litter Management in Turkey Production
Litter management Top dressing Tilling Remove cake
Brooder litter Management
Proper Bird Density Bird density throughout the house is also a factor involved with litter moisture. The sudden onset of poor litter conditions associated with higher bird densities is considered to be the biggest influence on the development of FPD. Litter conditions deteriorate rapidly as litter moisture increases with increased bird density.
Proper Bird Density One way to combat this problem is to properly utilize migration fences year round, even in cold weather months. Migration fences put in place after birds are distributed evenly throughout the length of the house will allow for better litter management and temperature regulation.
Controlling Humidity Levels Controlling the relative humidity in Turkey Barns is essential to keeping floors drier. FPD lesions have been found more frequently during cold weather than in warm weather and footpad condition has a high correlation with house relative humidity. A 28% increase in the incidence of hock burns in winter when compared to summer. These seasonal effects are attributed to an increase in relative humidity due to decreased ventilation rates.
Controlling Humidity Levels This is typically observed in cold weather which is associated with reduced ventilation rates due to low temperatures and increased heating costs. Attic inlets are one management option available to producers to increase ventilation rates without increasing heating costs.
Footpad lesion comparison 6 weeks of age R.K. Mayne, P.M. Hocking, R.W. Else, 2006 Lesions occur during brood and carry to the finish period
Importance of reducing footpad lesions 1. By 14 weeks of age, significant footpad lesions and weight differences between dry and wet litter 2. Animal welfare issue
Dr. Jesse Grimes NCSU 2014
FPD Scoring 0 -Footpad skin with no lesion 1 -Lesion with diameter 1.3 cm 2 -Lesion with diameter >1.3 and 1.6 cm 3 -Lesion with diameter >1.6 and 1.9 cm 4 -Lesion with diameter >1.9 and 2.2 cm 5 -Lesion with diameter >2.2 and 2.5 cm 6 -Lesion 2.5 cm of diameter; all footpad area is affected 7 -All footpad and toes severely affected with lesions
Dr. Jesse Grimes NCSU 2014
Breast blisters (1)
Breast blisters (2) Nutrients Ammonia Bacteria
Breast Blisters (3) Reminder: Commercials have a high growth rate with a low feathering on the breast which promote the onset of blisters. How to prevent: - Diet composition (Amino Acids) to promote growth AND feathering - No wet litter or hard litter - High level of activity - Control the birds density
Leg Troubles (not infectious) A lot of possible origins: - Nutrition (ex: Deficiency in vit B 2 ) - Growth rate control. - Asymmtry in breast development - Foodpad dermatitis (score 2 or higher) - Litter not flat enough
Litter composting can be a great tool for pathogen reduction
Proper litter management is key for good flock health
Summary: Effective litter management be accomplished by considering: Ventilation controlling the environment and humidity Drinker management height, pressure, moving Litter management - rebedding, tilling or removing cake Litter amendments - reduce ph, lower bacterial, moisture and ammonia levels Keep it simple!
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?? Gary.Hall@hendrix-genetics.com