Effect of litter density and foot health program on ammonia emissions in broiler chickens

SUMMARY The effect of litter density and addition of organic minerals (Availa-Zn® and Mn®) and Yucca schidigera extract (MicroAid®) on ammonia emissions in broiler chickens was evaluated. Four treatments were tested: I. Traditional growing program with a litter density of one kg m−2 of rice hulls (TP1); II. Treatment I with a litter density of 2 kg m−2 of rice hulls (TP2); III. Traditional growing program with a foot health program (40 ppm of Availa-Zn®, 40 ppm of Mn®, and 125 ppm of MicroAid®) during the growing cycle with a litter density of one kg m−2 of rice hulls (TP1+FHP); and IV. Treatment III with a litter density of 2 kg m−2 of rice hulls (TP2+FHP). Ross-line chickens were used. Ammonia emissions from litter and at peak height (ppm), litter moisture (%), relative humidity (%), pH, litter temperature (°C), and ambient temperature (°C) were measured weekly during the growing period. The results of ammonia emissions from litter showed significant differences among treatments (P ≤ 0.0001); treatments with a litter density of 2 kg m−2 plus the use of organic minerals and MicroAid® added separately and in combination were statistically different from the traditional program (TP1), reducing ammonia emissions from litter by up to 36%.