Elemental Concentrations of Stored Whole and Fractionated Broiler Litter

Abstract

Broiler (poultry) litter consists of excreta, bedding material (used to cover floor of broiler houses and absorb excreta), soil, feathers, and other components generated during broiler production. The objective of this study was to determine concentrations of 20 elements in whole litter and coarse and fine size fractions of whole litter exposed to single flocks and multiple flocks of broilers as well as to determine any significant differences or changes in concentrations of these elements during 4 months of litter storage. During storage for up to 4 months, whole litter and its fractions were analyzed for concentrations of Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sr, and Zn. No consistent significant differences in litter elemental concentrations were found among samples taken at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 wk. Significantly higher concentrations of several elements were found in multi-flock litter than in single-flock litter. No consistent significant differences in elemental concentrations were found among whole litter and coarse and fine whole litter fractions. This research shows that while size fractionation of litter facilitates re-use of litter, litter exposed to multiple flocks of broilers contains significantly higher concentrations of several elements, so recycling of multi-flock litter may be limited.