Methods of Evaluating the Potential Usefulness of Selected Litter Materials

Abstract

The usefulness of peanut shells, pine bark, ground cobs, wood shavings, and cane pomace as litter materials in roaster production was evaluated under laboratory and growing house conditions. All five materials differed significantly in the amount and rate of moisture exchange. Cane absorbed the largest amount of moisture per unit of dry weight followed by shavings, cobs, shells, and bark. Moisture evaporated per unit of dry weight was highest in peanut shells followed by shavings, bark, cane, and cobs. When compared by grams of moisture absorbed per hour, cobs were followed by cane, bark, shavings, and shells. Particle size of bark and shells averaged about 30 percent less than the others throughout the study in the growing house. Shells and cobs underwent significantly greater percent reduction in particle size. The smaller particle sized materials absorbed less total moisture and released it faster under drying conditions in both the growing house and under laboratory tests. Certain laboratory tests will indicate the possible usefulness of a material for poultry litter prior to rearing birds on it.