• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 1995

Broilers were fed diets supplemented with various levels of a probiotic (mixture of the following direct-fed microorganisms: Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Streptococcus). Growth performance, abdominal fat, excreta, and litter ammonia level were determined. The results showed that birds fed the probiotic-supplemented diets had better weight gain (p < 0.01) and feed conversion (gain:feed;p < 0.12) when compared to the birds fed the unsupplemented diet. No differences in feed intake and abdominal fat were observed among birds fed the different experimental diets. Excreta (p < 0.05) and litter (p < 0.01) ammonia levels were reduced by dietary probiotic supplementation. A dosage of 0.25 g of the probiotic/kg of diet is needed to maiximize growth performance during both the starter and finisher periods. A higher dosage (approximate 0.5 g/kg) is needed to minimize litter ammonia production.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.3.1-3.9
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• 2018

Background: Poultry breeding has increased by 306% in Korea, inevitably increasing the production of manure which may contribute to environmental pollution. The nutrients (NP) in the manure are essential for crop cultivation and soil fertility when applied as compost. Excess nutrients from manure can be accumulated on the land and can lead to eutrophication. Therefore, a nutrient load on the finite land should be calculated. Methods: This study calculates the nutrient production from Korean poultry by investigating 11 broiler and 16 laying hen farms. The broiler manure was composted using deep litter composting while for layer deep litter composting, drying, and simple static pile were in practice. The effect of weight reduction and storing period during composting was checked. Three weight reduction cases of compost were constructed to calculate nutrient loading coefficients (NLCs) using data from; i) farm investigation, ii) theoretical P changes (${\Delta}P=0$), and iii) dry basis. Results: During farm investigation of broiler and layer with deep litter composting, there was a 68 and 21% N loss whereas 77 and 33% P loss was found, respectively. In case of layer composting, a loss of 10-56% N and a 52% P loss was observed. Drying manure increased the P concentrations therefore NLCs calculated using dry basis that showed quite higher reductions (67% N; 53% P). Nutrient loss from farm investigation was much higher than reported by Korean Ministry of Environment (ME). Conclusions: Nutrients in manure are decreased when undergo storing or composting process due to microbial action, drying, and leaching. The nutrient load applied to soil is less than the fresh manure, hence the livestock manure management and conservation of environment would be facilitated.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine changes in internal temperature and chemical composition during the composting of broiler litter(BL) and to evaluate the feasibility of use of a small-scale pelletizer for the pelleting of composted BL. BL was composted for 4 weeks in an wooden cell with a size of 1 m length $\times$ 1 m width $\times$ 1.2 m height. Internal temperature reached to peak(68$^{\circ}C$) at the fourth day and thereafter gradually reduced. Among chemical components in BL, composting reduced organic matter content and increased dry matter and indigestible protein(ADF-CP) contents. When BL was pelleted using an economical small-scale pelletizer, the proper die diameter was 8~18 mm and the proper moisture content of composted BL was 20~25%. Beyond these proper conditions, addition of heat and pressure or pellet aids may be necessary. Pelleting of BL resulted in nearly threefold increase of bulk density, significant moisture evaporation, and little change in chemical components except for increased indigestible protein. In conclusion, BL may be converted into a feed with low to medium nutrition by the composting and pelleting process.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2003

This study was conducted to determine effects of and a proper level of barley malt sprouts(BMS) addition as well as to develop an effective fermentation method when broiler litter(BL) was ensiled or deepstacked with 0 to 10% levels of BMS. Mixtures were ensiled or deepstacked for one month and physico-chemical analyses were made between before and after treatments. Addition of BMS up to 10% enhanced nutritional quality of either of ensiled or deepstacked BL mixtures. Especially, the quantity and quality of protein were improved with the addition of BMS to BL. However, the still high pH values after ensiling of various mixtures indicated that anaerobic fermentation did not effectively occur with the addition of up to 10% of BMS to BL and consideration of fermentation aids appeared to be necessary. For deepstacking, addition of BMS to BL increased internal peak temperature(from 56 to $70^{\circ}C$) of the stack, indicating that the added BMS to BL stimulated the degradative activity of fermentative microorganisms. The deepstacking method was more effective than the ensiling method for the manufacture of hygienical fred mixture with BL and BMS.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.536-546
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• 2024

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of grain-based pecking blocks on productivity and welfare status at two commercial broiler welfare-certified farms. Methods: Production and welfare indicators were assessed at two farms (designated Farm A and B). Both farms had two windowless houses with forced tunnel-type ventilation and housed broilers at stocking densities of approximately 16.7 birds/m² (Farm A) and 16.8 birds/m² (Farm B). Each house was divided into two or three equal sections and was provided with or without pecking blocks. Grain-based pecking blocks, measuring 25 × 25 × 25 cm, were given to broilers in both farms at 1 block per 1,000 birds. Various parameters including productivity (body weight and flock uniformity), corticosterone levels (in fecal droppings and feathers), footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather dirtiness, gait score, litter quality, body surface temperature, and volatile fatty acids in fecal samples were assessed at 26 days of age, whereas litter quality was analyzed at 13 and 26 days of age. Results: There were no significant effects of providing pecking blocks on productivity (body weight and uniformity), fecal and feather corticosterone, welfare indicators (i.e., footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather cleanliness, and gait score), and litter quality (i.e., moisture, nitrogen, and pH). No differences in body surface temperature between the control and enrichment treatments were noted in Farm B, but body surface temperatures of the head (p = 0.029) and legs (p = 0.011) in the enrichment vs. control group were elevated in Farm A. Butyrate concentration in the enrichment vs control group was higher in Farm B (p = 0.023), but this effect was not detected in Farm A. Conclusion: It is concluded that grain-based pecking blocks did not affect performance and welfare indicators. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential impact of grain-based pecking blocks on gut health indicators.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.335-346
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary rosemary on performance, microflora population in cecum and noxious gas emission from litter of broiler. A total of 216 broiler chicks at 7 days old were fed the commercial diet (control), added 0.5% level of dried rosemary leaves (5 g/kg diet, T1) and 1.0% level of dried rosemary leaves (10 g/kg diet, T2) for 4 weeks. The body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved by feeding rosemary at 7 to 35 days of age (P<0.05), but there was no difference between T1 and T2. Amount of feed intake and mortality were not different among the three group. There was an increase in the microflora population of Lactobacillus (P<0.05) and decreased in E. coli and salmonella (P<0.05) in the cecum contents at 21 and 35 days of age. Emission of ammonia gas from litter was significantly decreased by supplementary rosemary at 21 to 35 days of age (P<0.05), but there was no difference between T1 and T2. These results indicated that feeding 0.5 to 1.0% level of dried rosemary leaves during broiler production improved in the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio because of increasing nutrient digestibility from feed, also increase in intestinal beneficial bacteria and decrease in harmful bacteria in the cecum contents, and decreasing emission of ammonia gas from litter.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2007

This study was carried out to develop the technique for manufacturing activated carbon from livestock manure and to analyse it's odor absorptiveness. Each of layer manure(LM), litter from broiler house(BL) and litter from dairy barn(DL), compost from layer manure(LC) and pig manure(PC), and coconut shell(CS) was used as a raw material. Activated carbon by grinding the raw material, adding the coal tar as a binder, palletizing, drying, heating with $N_2$ gas at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour, activating by reaction with steam at a temperature of $750^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. Moisture contents of raw material was 44.9% in layer compost, 71.9% in layer manure, 24.4% in broiler litter, 47% in pig manure compost and 33.9% in dairy litter. Volatile matter in layer compost, layer manure, broiler litter, pig manure compost and dairy litter was 18.8%, 31.0%, 49.8%, 22.3% and 11.6%, respectively. Surface area(BET) of activated carbon from layer compost, layer manure, broiler litter, pig manure compost, dairy litter and coconut shell was 259.8, 209.8, 63.5, 442.3, 812.9 and $1,040\;m^2/g$, respectively. Activated carbon made by livestock manure or litter were examined with scanning electron microscope, and micropore was a type of sponge like particles honeycombed with chambers. Pore size of activated carbon was ranged from 0.39 to $5.02\;{\AA}$, but coconut shell was $0.30\;{\AA}$. Iodine absorptiveness of activated carbon from livestock manure was $530{\sim}580mg/g$. But activated carbon made by coconut shell was 1000 mg/g. Each activated carbon could absorb odor compound very well. Absorptiveness of activated carbon from layer manure for hydrogen sulfide and trimethyl amino was 74.5% and 73.9% at the accumulated flux of 60,000 ml, but, in the case of ammonia was only 15.2% at the accumulated flux of 10,000 ml

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of moisture absorbent (MA) application timing for litter management on broiler performance, blood cell characteristics, litter moisture content, incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD), and economics analysis. Treatment include untreated control (NC), 3-week-old litter treatment (PC), 0-week-old (W1), 0 and 3-week-old (W2), 3-week-old (W3) application of moisture absorbent. Six hundred eighty broilers (1-day-old, 42.0±0.24 g) were divided into 5 treatments (4 replications per treatment, 34 birds per replication) and raised for 5 weeks in a floor (2 m² per pen). There was no significant difference among treatments in performance, blood cell characteristics, and H/L ratio according to the application period of litter and moisture absorbent. The litter moisture content and the FPD score were significantly decreased in the litter and moisture absorbent treatments at the age of 5 weeks (P<0.05). The FPD score of broilers was lowest in PC treatment compared to NC treatment (P<0.05). The incidence of FPD was lower in PC and W3 treatments compared to other treatments, and that was the highest in NC treatment. As a result of analyzing the economic feasibility, the highest expenditure occurred in PC treatment, and the lowest expenditure occurred in W3 treatment. Income was the highest in W3 treatment, and lowest in NC treatment. The profit was 185,859 won (1,367 won/unit), the highest in the W3 treatment. In conclusion, when MA was applied to the litter of broiler house at the age of 3 weeks, the litter moisture content and FPD were improved.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.273-282
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• 2023

A total of 192 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers (initial body weight: 31.30±0.41 g) were used in this experiment for 28 days. Treatments were as follows: basal rice husk (CON), rice husk + 1% illite (T1), rice husk + 1% zeolite (T2), and rice husk + 0.5% illite + 0.5% zeolite (T3). The percentage of illite and zeolite was calculated on a weight of litter. Each treatment had four replicates, with 12 birds per pen. Each pen was provided with 5 kg of rice husk as litter. Litter moisture content was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the T1, T2, and T3 groups compared to CON group at week 4. In litter nitrogen, the T1 group showed significantly lower (P<0.05) litter nitrogen content than the other groups at weeks 1, 2, and 3. Also, the T3 group showed a significantly lower (P<0.05) litter nitrogen content than the CON and T2 groups at weeks 2 and 3. The counts of E. coli in the litter were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the T1 group compared to the CON group at weeks 2 and 3. Moreover, the counts of Salmonella in the litter were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the T1 group compared to the CON group at week 4. The FPD score significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the T1 group compared to the CON group. In conclusion, spraying illite could be an ideal way to improve litter quality and decrease FPD in broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the effects of two chemical additives on nitrogen (N) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) contents in litter (rice hull) after broiler chicks were raised for 42 days. Two different additives were applied as a top dressing to the litter at a rate of 200 g ferrous sulfate $(FeSO_4)$ or 200 g aluminum sulfate [$Al_2(SO_4)_3$ $\cdot$ $14H_2O$, Alum] per kg litter, while the control group did not have the two chemicals added to the litter. A total of 64 broiler chicks (4 treatments$\times$4 replicates$\times$4 birds) were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks. There was no difference in pH between the two chemical treatments and control group, but SRP content was significantly affected on it (P<0.01). SRP contents from ferrous sulfate and alum treated litter at 6 weeks were reduced by $79\%$ and $60\%$, respectively, as the two chemical treatments decreased the pH compared to the control group. In the ferrous sulfate treated litter, EC, TC, $NH_4-N$, $NO_3$-N, and IN contents did not show any difference between $FeSO_4$ treatment and control. However, the differences between $FeSO_4$ treatment and control were found in moisture, TN, ON, AN, PAN, C:N, and C:ON contents (P<0.01). As seen in the alum treated litter, there were differences in moisture, TC, TN, $NH_4-N$, IN, AN, PAN, and C:N contents between alum treatment and control (P<0.05 and 0.01) but no differences in EC, $NO_3-N$, ON, and C:ON. In conclusion, the results of this research show that ferrous sulfate and alum-treatment of poultry litter has the potential to increase N and reduce SRP content by lowering litter pH and moisture content.