Sand as Litter for Rearing Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Sand was used as a litter material for broilers in three successive trials, in which 1600 straight-run chicks were reared either on sand or pine shavings as litter source. Body weight (by sex), feed conversion, and mortality were determined at 51 days (Trial 1), 49 days (Trial 2), and 50 days (Trial 3). Chilled carcass grade, foot pad lesions (all trials), and yield (Trial 3) were determined after processing. Litter ammonia production rate (Trial 2) and microbiological quality (Trial 3) were also evaluated. No differences were found for litter moisture, temperature, ammonia production, mortality, feed conversion, or foot pad lesions between the two litter treatments. Broilers reared on sand had significantly greater straight-run (Trial 1) and male body weights (Trials 1 and 2) than birds reared on pine shavings. Abdominal fat yields for birds reared on sand were significantly lower than for birds reared on pine shavings, whereas no significant differences were present in chilled carcass yields (Trial 3). Coliforms (including E. coli) and aerobic plate counts were significantly lower for sand than for pine shavings. Sand has shown good potential as an alternative litter material for rearing broilers.