The Use of Volatile Fatty Acids for the Control of Microorganisms in Pine Sawdust Litter

Abstract

Volatile fatty acids (60% acetic and 40% propionic) were mixed into fresh pine sawdust at 1% and 3% (w./w.) levels. Unsexed day-old broiler chicks were placed on the litter at a density of 0.06 m.2 per bird and reared to 8 weeks of age. There was no significant effect among treatments on the mean body weight, feed conversion efficiency or mortality. The bacterial count was retarded for at least a week. The mold count was slightly decreased at the 3% treatment level for the first 2 weeks. The pH of the litter was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) from the control for 3 weeks at the 3% treatment level and for 2 weeks at the 1% treatment level. The moisture content, litter temperature and final nitrogen content were not effected significantly by the treatments.