Management Strategies for Utilizing

Many concentrated poultry-producing areas of the USA including the Delmarva Peninsula have shortages of quality pine-base bedding materials. Yet, there are often ample supplies of cost-effective hardwood sawdust (HW) that could supplement this deficit. However, the poultry industry has been reluctant to use HW due to periodic mold-induced respiratory health concerns. A demonstration was implemented to evaluate management strategies for utilizing HW as poultry bedding. On a commercial farm growing roaster chickens; loblolly pine (LP), yellow poplar (YP) and white oak sawdust (WO) were each placed in 2 houses. For each bedding type, 1 house received fresh-cut sawdust (SD) directly from sawmills or SD held in storage for 3 months. One half of each house also received a peracetic acid-base mold inhibitor prior to chick placement. The average moisture content of SD for all species at placement in Flock 1 was 31%. Moisture content of SD obtained directly from sawmills was higher (39%) compared to that which had been in storage for 3 months (23%). While in storage the temperature of the SD averaged 137 F. Storage and the use of the mold inhibitor had little influence on bedding mold populations. However, there was a two-log reduction in mold populations in Flock 2 compared to Flock 1, and a one-log reduction in LP compared to the HW species. Two-week mortalities were less in Flock 2 for all bedding types. Based on the weight and content of the gizzards there were indications chick prefer consuming the WO. In Flock 1 the incidence of foot pad dermatitis was less with fresh compared to stored bedding and less with YP compared to the other bedding types for both flocks. Based on the physical, chemical and biological observations in this field demonstration, the data suggests that YP may be viable alternative to LP in regions facing a bedding shortage. Under conditions of this demonstration, using a mold inhibitor or placing bedding materials in storage had no influence on mold populations and chick health. Another underutilized, low cost source of wood by-products in the many regions is grindings from land clearings. Although not suitable as bedding in its present form, when composted with other local by-products it may offer a treatment strategy to convert it into a potentially useful and cost-effective bedding material. A screened composted material derived from this source was evaluated in a small, floor pen study inside a commercial chicken house. Results …