remove moisture from the poultry house

Thanks for answering the question. This question is frequently asked in the class, but teachers are not satisfied well from answers like given by Ahmed Din Anjum, if the moisture is build up in very extreme weather like in summer or winter then what should be the economical way of removing this moisture?

For controlled temperature house increase air speed, install baffles so airflow drop to the floor, mix litter frequently to increase evaporation if possible decrease humidity. Choose from the above applicable for conventional.

| Thanks for answering the question.this question is frequently asked in the class,but teachers are not satisfied well from answers like given by Ahmed Din Anjum,if the moisture is build up in very extreme weather like in summer or winter then what should be the economical way of removing this moisture?


Sorry madam,your question is not specific, please reconsider.

Litter pH and humidity causes ammonia production. When pH below 7 amonia release is reduced. At litter pH lower than 4.6, the economically devastating bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, Clostridium, and Campylobacter do not grow. Here I would advise to stop conventionally using alkaline materials, such as agricultural lime, hydrated or slaked lime, and burnt lime, which increase the litter alkalinity and alkalinity makes favourable condition for pathogenic bacteria to grow and also converts more of the ammonium into ammonia gas.

Ventilation is important both in summer and winter to control moisture build up or humidity but to explain summer and winter ventilation needs a lot of space.

During severe winter generall side curtain are closed tightly by the farmer to prevent cold stress to the birds, at the same time it is very difficult to maintain the litter quality, In my opinion following can be done to maintain the moisture level as well as ammonia-
1. Remove the wet portion of the litter around the drinker and put new litter
2. Mix 1kg of Bleaching powder and 2 kg of lime powder fro 1000 sq ft area.
3. Check gut health of birds regularly to avoid loose droppings.

Regards
Dr Bayjut Bostami

Removing moisture from wet litter:
I know that telling you to install fans or other equipment in the shed is not always practical. According to my experience adding limestone is not at all advisable for more than one reason.

1. Agreed that the lime stone absorbs the moisture from the litter. We should know that limestone is hygroscopic and therefore absorbs the moisture from the litter but also unnecessarily gathers more moisture from the atmosphere. Once this is done, the limestone forms into a sticky paste along with the litter, thus preventing the litter from being free and drying quickly.

2. Limestone being an alkali, raises the pH of the litter which in turn encourages the release of ammonia.

3. It is not a sound practice to unnecessarily upset the pH levels of the litter - Dr.Faisal Shahid has very correctly pointed out the reasons for this. 

The best way to tackle wet litter problem is to prevent it. Other authors in this form have told us how to do this.

I am very thankful to all the members who answered the question in different ways. I think these practices if adopted, would prove to be helpful in removing extra moisture from the bedding material.

Dear Dr.Shabina Begum,

I would like to thank Dr.Faisal Shahid for reproducing my thought against conventional use of Agriculture Lime (CaCO3), hydrated or slaked lime (Ca(OH)2), or burnt lime (CaO) since they increase litter alkalinity (My article "Poultry Deep Litter System - Benefits & Hurdles" published in Engormix.com on 26th May'11).

In lieu of promoting lime powder, we must look into following for reducing moisture level of poultry litter:

These method will help to reduces ammonia gas formation as well as bacterial load of litter also.

Thanks !

G.K.Dahal

Removing moisture from wet litter:
There are many source of moisture inside the house such waterers, litter, respiration and excreta,; about 20% of these moisture evaporate in the house air, so the lime stone is not sufficient, lime stone only for the small space of wet litter. If lime stone increase insider the house cause respiratory irrtention.
To remove moisture you should calculate the ventilation equpements.

Thanks
T.M. El-sheikh

Have you tried using Black soldier fly larvae to reduce moisture and volume of chicken manure?

Removing moisture from poultry house when bedding material has picked up high moisture? Use of lime, pH issue, etc have been ok. But question asked by a student only which is very important in deep litter system of poultry raising. In my opinion do not allow high moisture of the litter material and should be <20%. Select good litter material, put it at least 3 inch deep for proper capillary action and evaporation drying through day time best ventilation.
If litter is in wet condition let us remove and replace new soon. The cause of the wet litter condition or high moisture condition needs to be established first, then you can try to have best condition.

Thank you .
dr m rath

If you ask the "Best Way" to remove high moisture levels built up in the poultry house's bedding material, then the best way is always to replace it. (If not possible) select the more dense patches and replace the very wet litter with dry one. And avoid moisture building again by several procedures, like improve ventilation, stopping leakages from water lines and nipples. Also very important point is to check salt levels in the feed.

In my opinion along with all the methods described with their pros and cons, the proper (calculated) ventilation and stirring of litter frequently particularly with age of bird in mind and weather condition can help a lot in reducing moisture level in the house.

1. Yucca is a good means.

2. Another product I saw in the exhibitions was STALDREN.

3. Use of Sodium sulphate instead of sodium bicarbonate is another good means, which is picking up well in the EU. The sulphate excreted binds to ammonia in the litter.