Commercial Poultry Production and Hatchery Management

DEEP LITTER SYSTEM

• In this system the birds are kept inside the house all the time.
• Arrangement for feed, water and nest are made inside the house.
• The birds are kept on suitable litter material of about 3” to 5” depth.
• The word litter is used for fresh litter material spread on the floor.
• Usually paddy husk, saw dust, ground nut hulls, chopped paddy straw or wood shavings are used as litter materials.
• This arrangement saves labour involved in frequent cleaning of faecal matter (droppings), however it needs periodical stirring.
• The litter is spread on the floor in layers of 2” height every fortnightly till the required depth is achieved.

Advantages

• Vit B2 and Vit B12 are made available to birds from the litter material by the bacterial action.
• The welfare of birds is maintained to some extend
• The deep litter manure is a useful fertilizer.
• Lesser nuisance from flies when compared to cage system.

Disadvantages

• Because of the direct contact between bird and litter, bacterial and parasitic disease may be a problem.
• Respiratory problems may emerge due to dust from the litter.
• The cost of litter is an additional expenditure on production cost.
• Faults in ventilation can have more serious consequences than in the cage system

The built up litter

• Deep litter or built up litter is accumulation and decomposition of litter material and excreta until it reaches a depth of 8” to 12”, after an original start of 3” to 5” depth.
• Bacterial action decomposes litter and excreta into crumble form and heat is produced during decomposition which keeps litter dry and warm.
• If the amount of droppings exceeds the litter, fresh litter will be added to lower the amount of droppings.
• Periodical stirring of the litter should be carried out for an effective functioning of built-up litter.
• After one year, the litter is changed and the decomposed litter is used as good quality manure.
• The best built-up litter should be dry, friable and free from obnoxious odour.