CAREFUL

Motivation

In Germany, the domestic chicken is the most common livestock species in terms of numbers, with a population of around 160 million animals in 2014, and the demand for poultry meat has been increasing for years. However, footpad lesions and high ammonia concentrations in the air in poultry houses are a serious threat to animal welfare, particularly in poultry fattening. While the inflammatory footpad diseases are most likely painful and can restrict the birds' movement, high ammonia levels in the air are a risk for respiratory diseases in animals and humans, among other things. One of the main causes of the above-mentioned impairments is damp, dirty litter in the stables. Organic poultry farming is also affected by this and faces even greater challenges due to feeding restrictions.

Aims and procedure

The aim of the innovation project with representatives from agriculture, business, science and consultancy is to develop and test an innovative poultry litter based on sustainable and regionally produced plant and activated carbons from previously unused residual biomass in northern Hesse to improve animal welfare in poultry farming.

Due to their high inner surface area, biochars and activated carbons are characterized by a high water absorption capacity (up to five times their weight) and a high adsorption capacity for various substances, such as nutrients and nitrogen compounds, but also dioxins and mycotoxins. Due to these properties, biochar and activated carbon represent a promising but little researched litter substrate in poultry farming to reduce footpad diseases and ammonia emissions, as well as possibly having a health-promoting effect when ingested via the species-typical scratching and pecking.

Innovations and prospects

Suitable coals are used as poultry litter in practical trials and their effects on animal health and the barn climate are investigated in an iterative and multi-stage approach. By utilizing previously unused residual biomass, regional material cycles are also to be closed and sustainable value chains established.