Ganno Tayeng
Kh. Rojesh
3rd Yr Students
College of Veterinary Sciences & A.H.
Central Agricultural University, Aizawl, Mizoram
It is one of the most popular intensive systems of poultry rearing. In this system, poultry birds are kept confined in a large pen with the floor covered with rice husk, paddy straw (chopped), saw dust or even wood shavings etc. after being mixed with the droppings. Out of these,rice husk and paddy straws are the most common material used in the North-East India.
The litter is spread to a depth of 5cm on the floor before introducing the chicks and is built up to a depth of 15cm by adding litter material, at the rate of about 2 cm per week. This would require approximately 10kg of litter material/m2 floor area. The thickness can be increased by a few centimeters in winter. An area of 700 cm2/chick is provided till about 8 weeks of age. In a hover with 1m diameter, 250 chicks can be brooded efficiently. The hover can be placed at appropriate height from the floor either by hanging it from the roof or by placing it over bricks or stones so that chicks can go in and out easily. Five bulbs of 60 watts are sufficient. To avoid damp litter, 1kg hydrated lime per 15 feet2 floor area is spread. To reduce the irritation caused to the chicks from ammonia, 500g superphosphate per 15 feet2 is spread properly. Litter should be raked thoroughly at frequent intervals, say at least twice a week and the day after deworming. The whole litter should be changed at least twice a year or after each batch of the birds is sold off. Mixing the feed with Amproleum or Bifuran in the appropriate dose is advised to check coccidiosis.
This system offers many advantages. Ectoparasite infection is greatly reduced by the heat generated by bacterial action on the deep litter.
Built up litter supplies vitamin B12 and B2 to the birds and fulfills the natural instinct of the birds to have litter bath.
The Cage Layer Fatigue Syndrome, which is common to caged birds, is also prevented. Vices like feather-picking, vent-picking, cannibalism etc. are tremendously reduced. Moreover, there is no need for large open area and also labour input is reduced.
Also, the litter materials obtained is good manure for the crops too. So keeping these in mind, our poultry farmers are encouraged to adopt this system.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/deep-litter-system-of-poultry-rearing/
