Research Article Open Access

Mineral Composition of Litter in Commercial Broiler Houses

Authors

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dana M. Miles
USDA-ARS, Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research Unit, 810 Hwy 12 East, Mississippi State, 39762 MS, United States of America
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John P. Brooks
USDA-ARS, Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research Unit, 810 Hwy 12 East, Mississippi State, 39762 MS, United States of America
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Philip A. Moore
USDA-ARS, Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit, Fayetteville, 72701 AR, United States of America
Published on: January 15, 2018
DOI 10.3923/ijps.2018.85.91
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Abstract

Objective: The overall aim was to assess mineral content of broiler litter originating from U.S. commercial broiler houses and to determine how mineral content varies with season, as well as location within houses. Materials and Methods: Over a period of 4 years, approximately 1100 litter samples were collected in a grid pattern within four U.S. commercial broiler houses. The sources of variation, on which analysis of variance was based, included season (winter vs. summer), bird age (placement, mid-flock, market) and location within the house (across, lengthwise). Results: The range of concentrations for the primary minerals was (g kg–1): Ca 23.7±8.6, K 35.4±9.1, Mg 8.1±2.4, Na 10.9±3.3 and P 16.6±4.6. The secondary minerals were in the range of (mg kg–1): Cu 730±360, Fe 1120±560, Mn 730±216 and Zn 550±150. Summer mineral content was greater at all sampling ages. At market age, mineral concentrations were greater in the cooling pad and brood areas but least near the fans. Litter minerals were greater near walls when compared to the center of houses. Conclusion: Half-house brooding explained the greater concentrations in the cooling pad and brood areas. Heavy cake in the fan area had distinct properties compared to litter elsewhere in the houses. Trends in mineral composition of broiler litter complemented known management practices related to brooding (half-house) and phase feeding (reduction in levels during growth period).

Keywords:

Bird age, broiler, litter, mineral contents, phase feeding

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Miles , D. M., Brooks, J. P., & Moore, P. A. (2018). Mineral Composition of Litter in Commercial Broiler Houses. International Journal of Poultry Science, 17(2), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2018.85.91
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