L’equilibre Bioflush
Give Nature What Nature Wants
AMMONIA IN CHICKEN BEDDING
Ammonia Problems In Chicken Pens:
Ammonia gas has a characteristic pungent odour. At high concentrations, it is irritating to mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the conjunctivae and corneas of the eyes.
Damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory system increases the susceptibility of birds to bacterial respiratory infection, especially E. coli infection.
High levels also have a negative impact on overall livability, weight gain, feed conversion, condemnation rate at processing, and the immune system of the birds.
Damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory system increases the susceptibility of birds to bacterial respiratory infection, especially E. coli infection.
High levels also have a negative impact on overall livability, weight gain, feed conversion, condemnation rate at processing, and the immune system of the birds.
Experimentally, broiler chickens kept in an environment with ammonia concentrations of 50 ppm and 75 ppm were shown to have reductions in body weight of 17% and 20%, respectively,
at 7 weeks of age, compared to broiler chickens kept in an environment with near zero ammonia concentration.
Generally, maximum levels of ammonia in poultry pens have been set at 25 ppm by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and 50 ppm by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Generally, maximum levels of ammonia in poultry pens have been set at 25 ppm by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and 50 ppm by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
These levels have been established based on human safety and represent the limits for 8 hours of exposure.
OSHA considers 50 ppm to be the lowest level to cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat of the most sensitive individuals.
People can generally smell ammonia at concentrations between 20 and 30 ppm.
OSHA considers 50 ppm to be the lowest level to cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat of the most sensitive individuals.
People can generally smell ammonia at concentrations between 20 and 30 ppm.
Two Ways To Reduce Or Eliminate Ammonia:
The usual sawdust or straw chicken bedding can be either treated once laid or simply
composted prior to utilization.
Spraying chicken bedding in house:
Spraying the bedding with L’equilibre Bioflush will have an immediate result on the ammonia abatement. Within minutes the levels of ammonia will drop.
However, with pens holding an average of 5000 birds, spraying L’equilibre Bioflush on the surface may prove impractical. L’equilibre Bioflush has no negative effect if sprayed directly onto the birds or feed. In practice, it is sprayed by mist sprayers placed under the roof using a manual or automatic system via an NH³ sensor.
This is the simplest solution.
However, with pens holding an average of 5000 birds, spraying L’equilibre Bioflush on the surface may prove impractical. L’equilibre Bioflush has no negative effect if sprayed directly onto the birds or feed. In practice, it is sprayed by mist sprayers placed under the roof using a manual or automatic system via an NH³ sensor.
This is the simplest solution.
Dosage for spraying:
The level of ammonia dictates the amount of L’equilibre Bioflush to be sprayed. However, the average calculation is 5 grams of L’equilibre Bioflush per square meter diluted in 1 litre of water.
This application is generally done 5 times per month or as needed.
Please note that any level of ammonia abatement in a chicken pen will be extremely beneficial to the bird’s health and growth cycle.
This application is generally done 5 times per month or as needed.
Please note that any level of ammonia abatement in a chicken pen will be extremely beneficial to the bird’s health and growth cycle.
Composting the chicken bedding prior to laying it in the chicken pens:
Procedure to Make Chicken Bedding from Fresh Sawdust.
The following quantities are for two tons of sawdust:
- 60 Kg Water
- 30 Kg Molasses
- 10 Kg Iron Sulfate
- 5 Kg Zeolite
- 5 Kg Chalk
- 0.5 Kg Micromix
Procedure:
Dilute the above ingredients in the 60 kg of water in the order listed above, ensuring that each ingredient is fully dissolved before adding the next one.
Once the L’equilibre Micromix is in the mixture, stir for 20 minutes.
The product is now ready for use.
Once the L’equilibre Micromix is in the mixture, stir for 20 minutes.
The product is now ready for use.
Application
To obtain the best results follow these basic steps
- The heaps must not exceed 3 meters in height and width.
- Care must be taken as to the humidity control, which must not go below 60% and not above 80%.
- The pH. must always be between 6.5 and 7.2.
- Temperature control is also vital. In the first few days, there must be a temperature rise towards the centre of the heap, about 40 cm in depth, the minimum must be 40°C and the maximum 55°C
- Visually, Mould should occur within the first 20 days on the heap surface
- In the first month, the heaps must be turned at least once a week.
- In the second month turn every 15 days. If the heap enters a third month turn
once a month.
Caution:
Whilst the chicken bedding is composting the pH level may rise and may be reduced by using the following ingredients:
• Chalk
• Sulphur
• Phosphoric Acid
• Citric Acid
The quantities are determined by the variants as well as the external temperature. Should the smell of ammonia be present, molasses can also be added with any of the above mentioned ingredients.
Transformation Time:
To obtain good chicken bedding quality, two procedures can be followed: One procedure is to compost it in the open. The other is to compost inside the chicken shed.
The difference is the humidity, as it is more controlled undercover. The time of transformation is then reduced to between 45 and 60 days. One factor of time is also influenced by the type of sawdust used, if for instance, it originates from acacia wood (wattle) the transformation time will increase to 90 days. Once the humus is placed on the ground as chicken litter, the same humus can be reused for 4 to 5 cycles of 45 days each. In between each cycle, the humus must be heaped in the centre of the shed and left to rest for 15 days, after which it can be spread for the next intake.
A thin layer of new humus should be added at every cycle.
The difference is the humidity, as it is more controlled undercover. The time of transformation is then reduced to between 45 and 60 days. One factor of time is also influenced by the type of sawdust used, if for instance, it originates from acacia wood (wattle) the transformation time will increase to 90 days. Once the humus is placed on the ground as chicken litter, the same humus can be reused for 4 to 5 cycles of 45 days each. In between each cycle, the humus must be heaped in the centre of the shed and left to rest for 15 days, after which it can be spread for the next intake.
A thin layer of new humus should be added at every cycle.
Suggestions:
Following the 5 to 6 cycles, the humus must be replaced. The recovered humus should be heaped outside and treated with L’equilibre Bioflush and treated like a normal compost heap.
All the parameters must be respected. After 150 to 180 days superior quality humus is then produced. The above solution is more laborious but excellent production results are obtained. Furthermore, the chicken bedding now has a high fertiliser value, as it is microbiologically active.
It can be applied to any field and any crop as a primary fertilisation program.
All the parameters must be respected. After 150 to 180 days superior quality humus is then produced. The above solution is more laborious but excellent production results are obtained. Furthermore, the chicken bedding now has a high fertiliser value, as it is microbiologically active.
It can be applied to any field and any crop as a primary fertilisation program.