EFFECT OF SODIUM BISULFATE ON AMMONIA CONCENTRATION, FLY POPULATION, AND MANURE PH IN A HORSE BARN

Objective-To evaluate the effectiveness of altering the pH of manure w ith sodium bisulfate, thereby decreasing ammonia concentration and fly population in a horse barn environment. Animals-4 mixed-breed pony st allions. Procedure-The 4-week study was scheduled with 2 weeks of trea tment (with 2 application rates) and 2 weeks with no treatment (contro l weeks). During treatment weeks, sodium bisulfate was applied daily t o the top of the bedding and straw, then spread on top. Ponies were ke pt in the stalls 24 hours a day during the 7-day test period and stall cleaning was not done. On day 7 of each week, ammonia concentration, manure pH, number of flies on a fly tape, and fly-evasive behavior pat terns were determined. Results-Sodium bisulfate applied to the horse s tall environment daily of either 2.3 or 4.5 kg/9.3 m(2) (5 or 10lb/100 ft(2)) decreased ammonia concentration, manure pH, and number of flie s in the stall environment, compared with a control period with no sod ium bisulfate. Fly-evasive behavior patterns of ponies occupying the s talls, including tail swishes, head tosses, and kicks/strikes, were de creased during the period of sodium bisulfate application. Conclusion- Sodium bisulfate may be an effective method of decreasing ammonia conc entration and may serve as a method of fly control in horse barns.