Physicochemical properties, mineral composition and faecal microbial counts of litter materials in a tropical environment

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties, mineral composition and faecal microbial counts of five different litter materials used for broiler production. Litter materials used were: wood shavings, saw dust, rice husk, coconut husk and sun-dried chopped leaves of Tectona grandis (Teak). The litters were collected from the broiler pen every week, beginning from week
2. The week 2, 3 and 4 represented the starter phase while weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 represented the finisher stage. Results indicated that T. grandis litter had significant (p<0.05) results in terms of moisture content (15.82%), pH (6.60), temperature (32.11°C), electrical conductivity (3.83 dS/m), bulk density (85.45 kg/m3), water holding capacity (10.73%), water releasing capacity (9.64%), coccidial oocyst count (0.33 ×103 g), ammonia emission (0.04%) and mineral (nitrogen, 2.33%) respectively at the 8th week finishing stage. Saw dust litter recorded significant (p<0.05) superior values when compared to other litter materials in terms of physicochemical properties (moisture content 15.17%, temperature 24.40°C, bulk density 84.02 kg/m3, water holding capacity 14.61% and water releasing capacity 31.78%); coccidial oocyst count 1.67 ×103 g, respectively at 4 week starter phase. Similar non-significant (p>0.05) values were recorded for both rice husk and coconut husk litter materials at the starter phase and at the finisher phase. Based on these results, T. grandis litter material is associated with inferior water holding capacity, water releasing capacity and water content that resulted in the depression of ammonia emission. However, because of the quality of saw dust it can be considered as the best litter material.