Evaluation of gaseous and solid waste in fermentation bedding system and its impact on animal performance: A study of breeder ducks in winter.

Abstract

In order to further optimize the application of fermentation bedding system and evaluate its improvements on low temperature, low humidity and other adverse environments of animal breeding in winter, we tested the waste discharge and performance of 12,921 breeder ducks from November to January. The fresh bedding materials and fermentation microbes showed significant advantages. They increased the temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) by more than 3.48 °C and 5.54, reduced the emissions of H2S, NH3, CO2, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10) and total suspended particulate (TSP) by more than 29.92%, 47.21%, 13.69%, 25.90%, 23.43% and 25.94% respectively, compared to control. The stale bedding materials increased the mortality rate and breeding egg loss rate of breeder ducks by 0.17% and 4.22% significantly, reduced the healthy duckling rate and total effective hatching rate by 2.41% and 4.22%, compared to control, had limited effects on the improvement of house environments. PM2.5, TSP, CO2, H2S and NH3 were important environmental parameters affecting the productive and reproductive performance of ducks. These data can provide an insight that the fermentation bed system could reduce the waste emission of breeder ducks, improve their production and increase the health rate of their offspring. Its application in livestock farming would create a better breeding environment and economic benefits. In addition, the stale bedding materials were not recommended to recycle in fermentation bed system for cleaner production and sustainable development.