Windrowing can improve flock health
May 18, 2009Contact Information:
Sara Landis, Department of Poultry Science
479-575-3192 / slandis@uark.edu
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — George “Bud” Malone, poultry extension specialist at the University of Delaware, speaking at a poultry field day at the Applied Broiler Research Farm sponsored by the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture, said windrowing litter in poultry houses can improve flock health. The field day was co-sponsored by Oklahoma State University, Winrock International and the Brown Bear Corporation, which markets litter management equipment.
Windrowing, in which litter is piled in a row to allow it to go through the composting cycle, was demonstrated at the May 5 field day at the division’s applied broiler research farm near Savoy. Susan Watkins, a University of Arkansas extension poultry specialist, said many Arkansas poultry growers use windrowing to maintain good flock performance without removing the litter from the barn.
“Windrowing is basically a way to compost the litter in the poultry barn,” she said. “With effective composting, we increase the temperature as if we were cooking it in an oven and just like cooking, the heat helps reduce any potential harmful microbes.”
Malone said growers and companies that have implemented windrowing report improved bird health and performance and a significant reduction in darkling beetle populations. Depending on the method of composting, windrowing may reduce ammonia levels in the subsequent flock and either reduce or eliminate the need to crust-out houses, he said. Some have implemented this program as a means of improving flock health, others to reduce bedding replacement cost, and some growers use it as a waste management reduction strategy, Malone said.
Other field day speakers included Yi Liang, UA assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering and a Division of Agriculture specialist in the area of air quality, who spoke on the use of sprinklers for bird cooling; George Driever of Oklahoma State University, who discussed tree management for wind buffers around poultry houses; and Tom Tabler, manager of the division’s applied broiler research farm, who spoke on litter conditioning between flocks.
Also demonstrated were the use of the Weeden Sprinkler System for cooling birds in hot weather and the use of LED lights to reduce energy costs.
The applied broiler research farm consists of four full-sized broiler houses equipped with computerized environmental control and data collections systems capable of commercial-scale production research. This facility is utilized by the university to conduct research on new technology that has potential for improving bird performance and reducing production costs.