CKSFERTILIZERS. ABN pH Modifiers Internationally there are many acidifying agents or pH modifiers that act to bind or inhibit ammonia release and to acidify the litter. In a review of broiler management factors, Carey et al (2004) cited studies that showed ammonia release was negligible at litter pH below 7. Ammonia release began when pH was near 7 and reached a maximum at pH 8 or above. On this basis the company ‘CKSFERTILIZERS’ will test the ability of ‘pHNatural’ (a known organic acidifier) to reduce pH and suppress the release and/or production of ammonia (NH 3 ). Reduction of pH to below 6.8 will convert NH3 produced to NH4 and No3 Other Litter treatments – pH Modifiers CKSFERTILIZERS, aware that no acidifiers were marketed in Australia, have imported an organic acidifier for trials in broiler sheds to determine the effect of pH reduction on NH3 production. I Trials of Odour Control Technologies on Broiler Farms Publication No. 10/102 Project No. DAV-213A In reviewing these products as potential candidates for trials, it was noted that pH modifiers target ammonia reduction specifically rather than total odour. In addition, none of the products that were commercially available overseas appear to be currently available for commercial sale in Australia. This meant that importation of the product, and the correct application and dosage suitable for Australian conditions was yet to be developed. As such, pH modifiers were not considered further for this project. ISBN ISSN Trials of Odour Control Technologies on Broiler Farms Publication No. 10/102 Project No. DAV-213A Researcher Contact Details Dr Julie Simons Department of Primary Industries Victoria 1 Spring Street Melbourne VIC 3000 PHone: Fax:

Trial Location. Woodlands Poultry Old Gympie Road BEERWAH 4519 Aim. To determine the effect of ‘pHNatura’l on the pH of litter (sawdust and wood shavings) in Broiler sheds. To determine the effect of any pH change on the production of Ammonia. To determine the effect of the addition of ‘pHNatural’ on the temperature and moisture content of the litter. To compare food conversion in chickens from treated and untreated litter. To compare the relative fertilizer value of treated and untreated litter at the end of the batch. To compare one batch and two batch litter. Treatments 1.Treated 20 kg per 100 m 2 spread on top of litter before chickens are introduced. 2.Standard programme for ‘Woodlands Poultry’. Trial Design 2 treatments x 4 replications. Trial Plan Total of 8 x 1100 m 2 broiler sheds. Treated Cleaned and treated as per standard criteria of ‘Woodlands Poultry’ ‘pHNatural’ applied to sheds at 20 kg per 100 m 2. Applied on top of clean litter. -3 x 1100 m 2 sheds Applied to 1 batch litter 1 x 1100 m 2 shed with litter left in from 1 batch. Untreated / Normal criteria

3 x 1100 m 2 sheds new litter 1 x 1100 m 2 shed with litter left in from 1 batch. Procedure Readings for: 1.pH of litter 2.Litter moisture % 3.Shed Temperature, Humidity and NH 3 Levels (24 hour data logging per shed x 1400 readings per 24 hrs.) 4.Dead bird counts (daily ) 5.Analysis of litter nutrient level at trial completion. 6.Food conversion details will be assessed after birds are slaughtered. All the above parameters will be monitored as per the attached record sheet TRIAL. Farm 6 Treated. pHNatural Sheds 54; 55; 56; 57. Shed 54 – ZEOLITE TREATED at the beginning of last batch Control Woodlands ; All Woodlands sheds were treated with Zeolite Sheds 58; 59; Start Date. Number of Chickens / / / / / / / /

To determine the effect of ‘pHNatura’l on the pH of litter (sawdust and wood shavings) in Broiler sheds. The results of the changes in pH will be determined by Hortus Technical Services. Samples of the litter from sheds 54,55,58,61 have been taken and sent for analysis. Attachment 1. Samples were taken from these 4 sheds on14/11/10 and the pH was tested. Results are recorded in Attachment 2. To determine the effect of any pH change on the production of Ammonia. The results of changes in the amount of ammonia in the treated sheds against untreated sheds are recorded in detail in Attachments. 3 onwards. The results show a significant reduction in the production of ammonia in all treated sheds in comparison with the untreated sheds. Statistical analysis of the recordings is presented. See attachment 10 and 10a.; The difference in ammonia readings of all the treated sheds is not significantly different from each other. The ammonia readings in the second batch litter and the new litter in the treated sheds were the same. To determine the effect of the addition of ‘pHNatural’ on the temperature and moisture content of the litter. Readings of litter temperature and moisture from all sheds were taken every second day during the life of the batch. These are recorded in table and graph form in attachment 11,12,. The results showed lower moisture in the treated sheds against the untreated. Results showed a significant difference between the treated and untreated second batch litter. The statistical analysis of these differences is shown in attachment 14. Regular readings of shed temperature and humidity were taken and recorded in attachment 15. To compare food conversion in chickens from treated and untreated litter. Results to be determined by Woodlands. Complete nutrient analysis will be conducted by Hortus Technical Services and the results will be included in this report.

Litter Moisture 17/11/10 - 2/12/10 Shed 54 Shed 58 Litter Moisture Shed 58 Shed 54

Litter Temperature. 17 / 11 until 2 /1 2 / 2010 Treated Untreated

Litter Moisture Readings Scale 1 – 9. 1=Dry. 9 =Wet 10/12/10.//11/12/10. // 12 /12/2010. Treated sheds 54,55,56,57,. Shed 54 2 nd batch litter. Untreated sheds 58,59,60,61,. Shed 58 2 nd batch litter. Sheds 55 has 30 % of the ammonia level of Shed 59 with similar raised moisture levels. Sheds 56 and 57 have 25 % of the ammonia level of 60 and 61 although the moisture level in all of these sheds is low. Sheds 54 and 58 are dramatically different in both ammonia and moisture Litter Moisture versus Litter Ammonia Readings NH Moisture 10, 11, 12 /12 / 2010 Sheds 54 & 58; 2 nd batch

P value and statistical significance: The two-tailed P value equals By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be statistically significant. Confidence interval: The mean of Group One minus Group Two equals % confidence interval of this difference: From to Intermediate values used in calculations: t = df = 6 standard error of difference = Review your data: Group Group One Group Two Mean SD SEM N4 4 Ammonia Unpaired t test results Data 10/12/ 2010 More information on analysis is available from CKSFERTILIZERS. Ph

Treated Untreated

NH M, MIDDLE OF THE SHED, CENTRE OF SHED. 88 Shed 58 ppm NH3 7 66Shed 61 5 Shed 55 44Shed Shed 572.5Shed 60 2Shed 54TreatedShed 59 Control 1 These readings were taken during week 4 of the batch. Little ammonia was present with the exception of 2 untreated sheds.

CONCLUSIONS. The use of pHNatural will significantly reduce the production of ammonia in broiler sheds The use of pHNatural will significantly reduce the moisture content of the litter in both new and second batch litter. The difference in moisture content between new and second batch litter treated with pHNatural is not significant. The use of pHNatural will significantly reduce the build up of litter moisture in comparison with untreated litter. Second batch litter can be successfully used as an alternative to litter replacement after each batch. 3 rd batch trial starts 4 / 1 / 11. Ammonia levels remained low independent of litter moisture in the treated sheds. Author’s Note Application rate of pHNatural. The product was applied at 85 % of the recommended application rate due to some confusion about the actual size of the sheds. Comparative rates have been applied in the following trial. This will enable a dose /response graph to be constructed from the data recorded.

Trial Location. 2 nd follow on Trial. Woodlands Poultry Old Gympie Road BEERWAH 4519 Aim. To determine the effect of ‘pHNatura’l on the pH of litter (sawdust and wood shavings) in Broiler sheds. To determine the effect of any pH change on the production of Ammonia. To determine the effect of the addition of ‘pHNatural’ on the temperature and moisture content of the litter. To compare food conversion in chickens from treated and untreated litter. To compare the relative fertilizer value of treated and untreated litter at the end of the batch. Treatments 1.Treated 20 kg per 100 m 2 spread on top of litter before chickens are introduced. Trial Plan Total of 8 x 1100 m 2 broiler sheds. Treated pHNatural’ applied to sheds at 20 kg per 100 m 2. Applied on top - 1 x 1100 m 2 shed 3 rd batch on litter treated twice Shed 54 3 x 1100 m 2 sheds 2 nd batch on litter treated twice Sheds x 1100 m 2 sheds 2 nd batch on litter treated once. Sheds x 1100 m 2 shed. 3 rd batch on litter treated once. Shed 58 Readings pH of litter Litter moisture % Ammonia ppm Dead bird count

Shed 5 6 Shed58 LITTER MOISTURE

Operator error at harvest Graph above ; 10 /1 until 21/ 2 / 11 Below 22/ 2 until end of harvest Dead bird count 2 nd Trial Shed %, Shed %, Shed %. Shed %

Conclusions The reuse of broiler litter will not increase the amount of ammonia generated from 2 batch and 3 batch litter. Litter moisture is the major factor influencing ammonia production. pHNatural will reduce the moisture level in the litter once the cause of the moisture increase is corrected. Ammonia levels will not rise in wet litter treated with pHNatural. All trials were conducted in sheds without positive ventilation. The sheds had circulating fans and old foggers. Dead bird counts in this trial over the 4 sheds monitored was 2.57% %. As the initial trial established and this trial proved, litter reuse is a very viable option as far as ammonia control is concerned..