Nitrogen emissions from broilers measured by mass balance over eighteen consecutive flocks.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Animal Science
• Agricultural Engineering

Background:

• Ammonia emissions from poultry operations pose environmental challenges.
• Accurate data on air emissions from poultry facilities is crucial for the industry.
• Factors like season, temperature, humidity, bird health, and management influence ammonia volatilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine nitrogen loss from broilers in a simulated commercial production environment.
• To quantify ammonia volatilization rates over 18 consecutive flocks using recycled litter.
• To assess the impact of environmental and management factors on nitrogen loss.

Main Methods:

• A 18-flock experiment was conducted in a research facility simulating commercial broiler production.
• Nitrogen inputs and outputs were quantified for birds, feed, and litter.
• Nitrogen loss was calculated using the mass balance method.
• Litter was recycled across flocks with caked litter removal between flocks.

Main Results:

• Nitrogen partitioning averaged 15.29% for litter, 6.84% for caked litter, 55.52% for carcasses, 1.27% for mortalities, and 21.08% for nitrogen loss.
• Average nitrogen emission rates ranged from 4.13 to 19.74 g N/kg marketed broiler, averaging 11.07 g N/kg.
• Nitrogen loss was significantly higher in summer flocks compared to winter flocks (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Nitrogen volatilization rates from broiler grow-out facilities vary significantly on a flock-to-flock basis.
• Seasonal variations demonstrably impact nitrogen loss, with higher emissions in summer.
• The study provides essential data for accurately estimating air emissions from poultry operations.