EVALUATION OF THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF HARDWOOD BARK USED AS A BROILER LITTER MATERIAL

Various physical and chemical properties of hardwood bark (HB) and pine shavings (PS) were compared. Subsequently, efficacies of these materials as broiler litter were determined in two production trials. Upon receipt of each material, moisture content, pH, bulk density, and moisture absorbing capacity were determined. The PS had less moisture, less bulk density, and more moisture absorbing capacity than HB. However, the pH of PS and HB were not different. Trial 1 consisted of 16 replicate pens of HB and 8 pens of PS and Trial 2 involved 8 pens of HB, 8 pens of shredded HB, and 8 pens of PS. Each pen in each trial contained 50 broilers. No consistent differences in either pH, moisture, or nitrogen content were found in the litter types during the two growout periods. Body weight gain, feed conversion, and carcass grade were not affected by litter type.