Agricultural - Poultry Litter Application

Ammonia is a pervasive and ever-present constituent of the atmosphere in poultry houses. The ammonia is created by the decomposition of excess proteins and uric acid excreted by chickens. Under conditions of heat and high humidity, ambient ammonia levels approaching 50 ppm can be experienced.

High levels of ammonia can be harmful, if not fatal, to chickens. Any adverse effect on the health of the chicken may impair its ability or desire to feed, thus reducing the maximum weight gain that may be expected during the growth cycle.

Historically, atmospheric ammonia in poultry houses has been controlled through the use of ventilation fans and adjustable side curtains. As ammonia concentrations increase, curtains are lowered and the fans are run to pull outside air into the house, forcing the ammonia-laden air out. In the winter, this process also exhausts very expensive heated air.

The formation of ammonia from decomposing protein and uric acid is biologically mediated. Microorganisms in the litter derive energy and cell material from the breakdown of proteins to their constituent amino acids, nitrogen is passed through a biochemical chain of urea, ammonia, nitrite and finally, nitrate. When the majority of the nitrogen in litter reaches the nitrate form, the litter is essentially stabilized and no longer creates a serious ammonia problem.

The rate limiting part of this equation is in the conversion of urea and ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. When moisture levels are high, and litter pH exceeds 7.2 - 7.4, urea is hydrolyzed to ammonia at a faster rate than the ammonia can be converted to nitrite/nitrate. Evolution of gaseous atmospheric ammonia results.

In order to control the release of ammonia from poultry litter, the logical approach is to control the source. Microorganisms "create" the ammonia, and it is the microorganisms that must be controlled to reduce ammonia. This can be accomplished by inoculating the poultry litter with specific bacteria and enzymes, with a known capacity to accelerate and stabilize the rate of protein decomposition.

The product that fills the bill is BZT® Waste Digester.