Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens reared at two stocking densities and coir litter with different height. A total of 522 one-day male chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3×2 factorial arrangement, with three litter height (5, 10 and 15 cm) and two densities (10 and 13 birds/m2), with six triplicates. The experimental period lasted 42 days, evaluating pH and litter moisture; performance; carcass traits; bone quality; and intensities of breast, hock and footpad lesions in the birds. Regarding the effect of density, a significant influence was observed only on performance, wherein the birds reared at the density of 13 birds/m2 showed lower intake and weight gain and better feed conversion than those reared at the density of 10 birds/m2. Irrespective of the rearing density and litter height, the hock and footpad lesions were frequent, and with severe intensity. It is concluded that coir with 5 cm height can be used to housing up to 13 birds/m2; however, the high rate of hock and footpad lesions makes the use of coir in the evaluated form unfeasible.
Highlights
The marked growth of the Brazilian poultry industry has caused concerns regarding the availability of appropriate materials for the preparation of the poultry litter
The results obtained for the coir litter at the end of the rearing cycle demonstrated that the number of birds housed and the thickness of the material utilized were not sufficient to change the pH and moisture of the litter
We can infer that the litter quality, measured by those parameters, did not differ among the evaluated rearing densities and height
Summary
The marked growth of the Brazilian poultry industry has caused concerns regarding the availability of appropriate materials for the preparation of the poultry litter. In the absence of sufficient quantities, it has been necessary to acquire these materials from other regions, which raises the production costs. For a material to be considered adequate to be used as poultry litter, it must withstand the management practices adopted in rearing as well as the continuous contact with the poultry. In many cases the material utilized as litter is restricted to wood shavings, which has become increasingly scarce, and with a higher market value. Obtaining it often depends on distant suppliers, which significantly elevates the cost
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