2011 Volume 48 Issue 2 Pages 139-143
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding ferrous sulfate, aluminum sulfate (alum) and aluminum chloride to poultry litter on pH and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in a laboratory study. The treatments utilized in this study included an untreated control, 8g of FeSO4, 8g of alum, and 8g of AlCl3/100g of litter. All three chemicals reduced total VFAs, as well as individual VFA concentrations for most times. However, no significant differences were observed (P>0.05) among all treatments in acetic acid at 1 week and n-butyric acid content at 2 weeks. The reduction in total VFAs and acetic acid concentrations obtained from litter over time was in following order: 8g of AlCl3/100g of litter>8g of alum/100g of litter>8g of FeSO4/100g of litter>Control. When compared to the controls at 3 weeks, total VFA production was reduced by 14, 33, and 42%, respectively, with 8g of FeSO4, alum, and AlCl3/100g of litter. Likewise, application of 8g FeSO4, alum, and AlCl3/100g of litter decreased acetic acid by 9, 25, and 39%, respectively. These results would help to fill a need for a technical method suitable for decreasing the negative environmental impact of poultry litter.