Treatment of broiler litter with organic acids

Experiments for treatment of contaminated broiler litter with citric, tarta ric and salicylic acids were performed. At days 2 and 6 after the treatment , pH values (using a pH-meter), the ammonia concentrations (titration with 0.1 N HCl) and the microbial cells counts were determined in both experimen tal and control specimens of litter. The cost of acidification of litter wa s also determined. Our studies showed that the treatment of the contaminate d litter with 5 per cent citric acid, 4 per cent tartaric acid and 1.5 per cent salicylic acid created an acid medium with pH under 5.0 and thus reduc ed the microbial counts to 2.2 x 10(3) colony forming units per gram manure litter. The treatment reduced the content of ammonia in the litter and in the air under the hygienic limits, i.e. 25-50 ppm. The cost of acidificatio n of litter with these organic acids amounted to 0.1 $ per bird and 1.5 $ p er 15 birds on one square metre in a growth period of 50 days. (C) 2001 Har court Publishers Ltd.