LITTER PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENTS FROM COMMERCIAL BROILER-CHICKENS

An accurate accounting of litter production and nutrient concentration of moder commercial broilers is essential for developing sound nutrie nt management plans. Field studies with two integrated broiler compani es in Pennsylvania examined the nutrients from heavy broiler flocks gr own for further processing to 57 days and 5.90 lb (2.68 kg), and mediu m-weight birds grown to 44 days and 4.43 ln (2.01 kg). Sample analysis indicated that, compared to published literature values, litter has a higher concentration of total-N and similar levels of P2O5 and K2O. F eed consumption (8.42 and 12.47 lb/bird, or 3.82 and 5.66 kg/bird) and litter production (0.71 and 1.23 dry tons/1000 birds, or 644 and 1116 kg/1000 birds) ate consistent with findings of others for medium and heavy broilers. Nutrient balance calculations considering the feed as the source of all nutrients indicated that approximately 18% of feed N is lost to the atmosphere as ammonia-N, 30 to 31% is with the liter, and the remaining 51% with the carcass. Approximately 35% and 21% of d ietary P and K, respectively, are found in the broiler carcass during commercial grow-out (6 to 8 wk). These results are a benchmark of curr ent litter production and nutrient status, but they can be modified by dietary and management strategies to reduce nutrient excretions. Furt hermore, regional broiler production differences and individual compan y management and feeding practices will undoubtedly also influence the results.