Effects of Using Hazelnut Husk, Wood Shaving and of the Mixture at Different Thicknesses on Broiler Performances, Some Organ Weights, Foot-Pad Dermatitis and Litter Traits

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of the use of hazelnut husk (HH), wood shavings (WS) and the mixture of 50% hazelnut husk + 50% wood shavings (MIX) in two different thicknesses (4 and 8 cm) as a litter material in broiler production. The experiment was carried out as a factorial experimental design (3 litter type and 2 thickness) and stocking density was 10 chickens per m2. At 6 wk. of age, the effect of litter types and thicknesses on broiler live weights, feed efficiency, and livability, were not significant. Also, no differences were found in terms of gizzard, digestive tract, abdominal fat and edible internal organ weight percentages. While carcass yield varied between litter groups, there was no difference between litter thicknesses. The litter moisture levels at the end of the trial were not affected the litter type and litter thickness, while the foot pad dermatitis (FPD) rates were significantly affected. The highest FPD levels were determined in the HH litter and 4 cm thickness. As a result, the use of HH, WS and MIX of them with a thickness of 4 and 8 cm had no effect on other traits except for FPD levels. It has been observed that these litter materials may be used successfully in broiler production and use of 8 cm thickness litter has minor positive effects except that the cost of litter has doubled.

The Effect of Rearing System on Plumage Quality and Foot-Pad Dermatitis in Guinea Fowls and Pheasants

“…Litter moisture content was measured at Weeks 14, 16 and 18 using samples collected from 5 different points in each pen. Samples were oven-dried at 105°C until weight-loss stability was achieved, and dry matter (%) was recorded (Sarıca and Çam, 1998).…”

The Effects of Intermittent Feeding And Cold Water On Welfare Status And Meat Quality In Broiler Chickens Reared Under Daily Heat Stress

“…Litter samples were collected from three different points in each pen and they were mixed. A 100 g of this mixture was dried at 60 o C for 48 h, and moisture content was measured according to Sarıca and Erensoy (2020).…”

The Effects of Partially Slatted Floor Designs on Some Early Behavioral Traits in Broiler Chicks

“…In traditional broiler production, littered, cage and slatted rearing systems are used. Although each of these systems has positive and negative aspects (Ghanima et al, 2020), the littered system is the most common, despite some disadvantages (Aviagen, 2018;Altan and Bayraktar, 2018;Çavuşoğlu et al, 2018;Sarıca and Erensoy, 2020). Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the performance and welfare characteristics of broilers reared using different litter, cage and wire materials (Petek et al, 2015;Kaukonen et al, 2017;Chuppava et al, 2018;Çavuşoğlu and Petek, 2019).…”