Drymax on litter quality and ammonia level

Type of trial: Field Trial
Location of trial: Indonesia (Summer)
Experimented animals: 50.652 broilers in closed farm conditions.
Trial aim: Prove the efficacy and effect of XVETs Germany Drymax on litter quality and ammonia level at the farm level.

Introduction:
In poultry productions and more on broiler houses, bedding of the farms plays an important role in the general performance and health of the animals living in it. Litter helps to absorb moisture, retain fecal material, and provide a level of conformity due to the insulation effect between the floor and animals. Good management of the litter will prove direct effects on the animals, due to the constant contact of the animal with it. An improvement in litter conditions can translate to better production parameters and higher profits.

Material and methods:
A total of 25,323 birds from a 50,652 flock were divided and examined in two groups (treated and control) with areas of 240 Sq2 each (Figure 1).

The selected trial area inside the house was in the middle of the farm. In this area, the litter condition (Quality and ammonia level) was observed from day 1 to the end (Day 35).

Litter quality:
The used litter in this study was husk. The physical form, humidity, and color of the husk were registered as litter quality. To be able to evaluate the litter quality, 5 different grades were classified in this treatment as shown in Table 1.

Ammonia Level:
Litmus paper was used to measure the level of acidity/ Ph in Hydrion, indicator which was used to measure the ammonia level as Test meter. This indicator is first moisture with water to absorb ammonia in the litter or husk after it is exposed for around 15 seconds and then the ammonia level was evaluated while comparing with the scale. 

There was a grading system for ammonia level as well which is between 1 to 7 as shown in Table 2.

Results: 

Litter quality:
The average litter quality in the Drymax and control group in the total rearing period (35 days) were:

• 4 < Drymax treatment < 5
• 3 < Control treatment < 4. 

Figure. 2 is showing the litter quality in the two different treatments from day 1 to day 35. With these results, it can be concluded that by administering Drymax to the farm, the litter quality will improve.

Although Figure 2. Shows the difference between two different treatments, Figure. 3 shows a clear picture of this observation. Showing that the control treatment has pest vectors with moisture while the Drymax treatment has better quality regarding less moisture and pest vector.

Ammonia level:
The ammonia level was higher in the control group during the experiment than in the Drymax group as shown in Figure 4.

Conclusion:
XVET’s Drymax at a dosage of 50 gr/m2 helped to improve the litter quality regarding moisture and vector control. As well as showing an improvement in ammonia levels in comparison to the control group.