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Some alternative litter materials used for growing broilers and turkeys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

J.L. Grimes ,
J. Smithi  and
C.M. Williams
J.L. Grimes*
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Box 7608, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608, USA
J. Smithi
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Box 7608, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608, USA
C.M. Williams
Affiliation:
Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center, North Carolina State University, Box 7608, Raleigh, NC 27695-7608, USA
*
*Corresponding author: e-mail: jesse_grimes@ncsu.edu
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Abstract

This paper discusses materials used as bedding or litter for the rearing of broilers and turkeys in the U.S.A. The U.S. poultry industry has historically used pine shavings as the litter of choice for many years. Sawdust has replaced pine shavings in many areas, however, not by choice, but because pine shavings have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Regionally, rice hulls, straw, and peanut hulls can be found in use by poultry producers for litter. Re-cycled paper products have received a lot of research and development, but have not had a great deal of acceptance by the poultry industry. Sand is another alternative bedding that is currently being tested in southern climates. Alternative litter materials for poultry will continue to be researched and evaluated, and pine shavings or sawdust will probably continue to be used as the benchmark comparison. However, while bird performance will always be a threshold criterion, cost and availability will ultimately determine the adoption of new or alternative litter materials by poultry growers and the poultry industry.

Keywords

alternative litterpoultry litterpoultry beddingpine shavingsbroilersturkeys
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 58 , Issue 4 , December 2002 , pp. 515 - 526
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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