Comparison of Different Types of Materials for Broiler Litter

THERE are many different materials used for litter in the broiler industry. Materials used are usually ones that are available locally and are fairly inexpensive. Many materials used for this purpose are by-products of other industries; for example, cane bagasse, the chopped sugar cane stalk after the sugar has been extracted; rice hulls, which are the hulls from the rice grain; and straw, which is the by-product from oat and wheat farming. The particle size is an important consideration in selecting a litter for broilers. Smith (1956) found that corn cobs caused the birds to have more breast blisters than finer ground corn cobs. He recommended using a material with a particle size less than 3/8 inch in diameter. Aho et al. (1955) found that a wood chip of one to two inches in circumference created drier conditions than wood chips three or four inches in circumference. The use …