Commercial Poultry Production and Hatchery Management

DEEP LITTER SYSTEM

• In this system the birds are totally confined to the house and are not given the opportunity of running out in the open.
• Different litter materials of organic nature and capable of absorbing moisture from the litter can be used as bedding material in the poultry houses.

Advantages

• Less land requirement
• Easy in economic large-scale operation
• Easy supervision
• Scientific feeding
• Increased manure value
• Vit-B2 and Vit-B12 are made available to the birds from the litter material by bacterial action.

Disadvantages

• Higher incidences of bacterial and parasitic diseases if the litter is wet.
• Generation of ammonia odour if there is poor litter management (Maximum tolerance level of ammonia is 25 ppm)
• Broodiness is a problem.
• Higher cost for litter materials.