Litter is just not a bedding a bedding material and comprises of the bedding which can either be hay, wood shavings and some feed and droppings.
Litter management is an important aspect of broiler, layer or even pig production because it is the environment where birds eat and eat within the 35 days of broiler birds. Make litter comfortable by using hay that is finely chopped or wood shavings because they absorb moisture way better than hay. Also, checking to ensure there are no leaks on the drinkers and if all nipples are tight so that water does not sip through because it will wet the bedding. Allow ventilation by lowering the curtains.
Litter management
Poor litter management/ wet litter will cause footpad dermatitis and chicken will not walk to feeders or drinkers hence won‘t gain weight. Infection of feet and hocks of chicken forces them to lie on their breast and this leads to bruises on the breasts thus rejecting of chicken during slaughter.
Wet litter also leads to ammonia production. An ammonia metre can be used in measuring amount of ammonia gas being produced. Attaching it to the ankle helps record levels at chick level.
Issues arising
Diseases arising sue to wet litter include coccidiosis. It is caused by a protozoa which thrives in wet litter or wet moist conditions. If ingested by chicken, it will cause lesions and bleeding. Red bloody droppings from chicken indicate that the chicken has coccidiosis which causes poor growth.
In addition, ammonia gas causes eye problems to chicken if above recommended level which is five parts per million. Respiratory problems also occur due to ammonia and sometimes ascites
Good care
The end result of wet litter is always a loss since you loose birds, poor weight of the birds hence poor returns. It is advisable to put a thick layer so that it absorbs moisture and bed remains dry. Good litter management ensures that birds eat well, grow well and ensures bird welfare for profits.
Lastly, stocking density for the birds is recommended to be at 12 birds per square metre so as to avoid overcrowding and pressure on drinkers which can cause wet litter.
