US broiler operations commonly reuse litter for environmental and economic reasons. Research and real-world results have shown that the first broiler flock raised on brand-new litter underperforms flocks raised on used litter, but the reasons remain unclear.
Proper litter management is a key factor in controlling Salmonella on the farm. Zac Williams, PhD, assistant professor of poultry management at the University of Arkansas, addressed this topic at the Delmarva Chicken Association’s 59th National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production.
Gangrenous dermatitis is a major commercial turkey-production disease, causing significant economic losses annually from increased bird deaths and condemnations at the processing plant. Can a litter amendment impact the spread of this bacteria?
Looking to up your game with litter management? Visit Litterpedia, a new resource developed by AgriFutures in Australia.
