The Effect of Quicklime (CaO) on Litter Condition and Broiler Performance

Abstract

High levels of phosphorus and pathogens in runoff are 2 major concerns following manure applications to fields. Phosphorus losses from fields following manure applications have been linked to the solubility of phosphorus in manure; therefore, by decreasing manure phosphorus solubility, a decrease in phosphorus loss in runoff should be apparent. The objective of this research was to develop a process using quicklime that would result in reduced phosphorus solubility and bacteria counts in broiler litter. The 4 litter treatments evaluated were T1, new wood shavings without the addition of quicklime; T2, used, untreated broiler litter; T3, used litter with 10% quicklime (based on the weight of the litter); and T4, used litter with 15% quicklime (based on the weight of the litter). Body weight, cumulative feed consumption, and feed conversion (feed:BW) were determined on a weekly basis through 42 d of age. Mortality was recorded daily. Carcass weights and percentages of carcass yield without giblets were determined prechill. Litter pH, total phosphorus, nitrogen, soluble phosphorus, litter moisture (%), and total plate counts were measured for each litter treatment on d 7 and 42 after bird placement. No significant differences were found for BW, feed consumption, feed conversion, mortality, carcass weight, or carcass yield. No breast or footpad blisters were observed. On d 7, 15% quicklime had higher (P < 0.001) pH (11.2) when compared with the other treatments. Percentages of phosphorus and nitrogen were lower (P < 0.001) for new wood shavings in comparison with the used litter treatments. Soluble phosphorus (ppm) was lower (P < 0.001) for 15% quicklime (2.75) when compared with new wood shavings (42.2), untreated broiler litter (439.2), and 10% quicklime (35.0). Although not significant, 15% quicklime had lower total plate counts (cfu/g) in comparison with the other treatments on d 1 and 10 postmixing and at 7 d after bird placement. Litter conditions on d 42 after bird placement were similar. We concluded that the use of quicklime as a treatment for broiler litter would initially reduce nitrogen and soluble phosphorus and bacteria counts without negatively affecting bird productivity.

Farklı Gelişme Düzeyindeki Etlik Piliçlerde Altlığın Yeniden Kullanılmasının Broiler Performansı, Foot-Pad Dermatitis ve Altlık Kalitesine Etkileri

“…FPD scores in our study were also affected by litter reuse, with FPD scores for new litter significantly lower than those for reused litter (P<0.05). In contrast to our findings, Ruiz et al [31] found no significant differences in FPD scores between new and used litter. Cressman [30] used FPD scores as a criterion of animal welfare and reported YAMAK, SARICA BOZ, UÇAR Litter moisture and ventilation have been found to be the most important factors affecting FPD [27,33,34] .…”

“…In line with our findings, previous studies [3,12,31] reported re-use of litter did not significantly affect carcass characteristics.…”

Quality of poultry litter submitted to different treatments in five consecutive flocks

“…Quicklime, an alkaline substance, creates a favorable environment, as a matter of pH, for the loss of ammoniacal nitrogen of litter through volatilization. Ruiz et al (2008) used quicklime at the proportions of 10 and 15% of the litter weight and did not detect differences concerning the moisture content values, although pH values differed from those obtained for the untreated litter. There was an increase on pH from 7.65 to 8.38 and 8.75, respectively, for untreated litter and litter treated with 10 an 15% of quicklime.…”

Treatment of poultry litter does not improve performance or carcass lesions in broilers

“…Maurice et al (1998) studied the addition of zeolite (10% of litter weight) to poultry litter and evaluated the addition of gypsum (40% of the litter weight) and hydrated lime (0.5 kg/m 2 ) to the poultry litter and neither found differences in productive performance of birds because of the treated litter used. Ruiz et al (2008) treated broiler litter with quick lime (10 and 15%) and found no effects on body weight and feed: gain ratio of the birds.…”

“…Eleroglu and Yalçin (2005) also reported that survival rate did not change (93.1% on average for all treatments) when zeolite was included in the litter. Similarly, Nagaraj et al (2007) studied sodium bisulfate (0.22 and 0.44 kg/m 2 ) and Ruiz et al (2008) evaluated quicklime use in litter; both reported that treatments did not influence the survival rate of the birds.…”