Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment?
A partially (50%) perforated flooring system showed positive effects on health- and behavior-based welfare indicators without affecting production performance. Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is the most common air pollutant in poultry production, with effects on animal welfare and the environm...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/707 |
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| author | Carolin Adler Alexander J. Schmithausen Manfred Trimborn Sophia Heitmann Birgit Spindler Inga Tiemann Nicole Kemper Wolfgang Büscher |
| author_facet | Carolin Adler Alexander J. Schmithausen Manfred Trimborn Sophia Heitmann Birgit Spindler Inga Tiemann Nicole Kemper Wolfgang Büscher |
| author_sort | Carolin Adler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A partially (50%) perforated flooring system showed positive effects on health- and behavior-based welfare indicators without affecting production performance. Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is the most common air pollutant in poultry production, with effects on animal welfare and the environment. The objectives of animal welfare and environmental protection are often incompatible. Therefore, this study addresses the question of how a partially perforated flooring system affects NH<sub>3</sub> emissions. According to German regulations, three fattening periods were carried out with 500 Ross 308 broilers per barn (final stocking density: 39 kg m<sup>−2</sup>). The experimental barn was equipped with an elevated perforated area in the supply section, accessible by perforated ramps. The remaining area in the experimental barn and the control barn were equipped with wood shavings (600 g m<sup>−2</sup>). Besides the different floor types, management was identical. Air temperature (Temp), relative air humidity (RH), NH<sub>3</sub> concentration, and ventilation rate (VR) were measured continuously. Furthermore, dry matter (DM) content, pH, and litter quality were assessed. Towards the end of the fattening periods, the NH<sub>3</sub> emission rate (ER) of the partially perforated flooring system was higher compared with that of the littered control barn (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). This effect is mainly caused by the higher NH<sub>3</sub> concentrations, which are promoted by the lack of compaction underneath the elevated perforated area and the increase in pH value under aerobic conditions. Nevertheless, the partially perforated flooring system offers different approaches for NH<sub>3</sub> reduction that were previously not feasible, potentially contributing equally to animal welfare and environmental protection. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:19:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4832b754f7a74e8996d432f164fbdfe8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:19:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-4832b754f7a74e8996d432f164fbdfe82023-12-03T12:42:25ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-03-0111370710.3390/ani11030707Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment?Carolin Adler0Alexander J. Schmithausen1Manfred Trimborn2Sophia Heitmann3Birgit Spindler4Inga Tiemann5Nicole Kemper6Wolfgang Büscher7Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, GermanyCorteva Agriscience, Riedenburger Straße 7, 81677 München, GermanyInstitute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, GermanyInstitute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, GermanyInstitute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, GermanyA partially (50%) perforated flooring system showed positive effects on health- and behavior-based welfare indicators without affecting production performance. Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is the most common air pollutant in poultry production, with effects on animal welfare and the environment. The objectives of animal welfare and environmental protection are often incompatible. Therefore, this study addresses the question of how a partially perforated flooring system affects NH<sub>3</sub> emissions. According to German regulations, three fattening periods were carried out with 500 Ross 308 broilers per barn (final stocking density: 39 kg m<sup>−2</sup>). The experimental barn was equipped with an elevated perforated area in the supply section, accessible by perforated ramps. The remaining area in the experimental barn and the control barn were equipped with wood shavings (600 g m<sup>−2</sup>). Besides the different floor types, management was identical. Air temperature (Temp), relative air humidity (RH), NH<sub>3</sub> concentration, and ventilation rate (VR) were measured continuously. Furthermore, dry matter (DM) content, pH, and litter quality were assessed. Towards the end of the fattening periods, the NH<sub>3</sub> emission rate (ER) of the partially perforated flooring system was higher compared with that of the littered control barn (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). This effect is mainly caused by the higher NH<sub>3</sub> concentrations, which are promoted by the lack of compaction underneath the elevated perforated area and the increase in pH value under aerobic conditions. Nevertheless, the partially perforated flooring system offers different approaches for NH<sub>3</sub> reduction that were previously not feasible, potentially contributing equally to animal welfare and environmental protection.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/707broiler productionalternative flooringammonia emissionsanimal welfareenvironmental impact |
| spellingShingle | Carolin Adler Alexander J. Schmithausen Manfred Trimborn Sophia Heitmann Birgit Spindler Inga Tiemann Nicole Kemper Wolfgang Büscher Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? Animals broiler production alternative flooring ammonia emissions animal welfare environmental impact |
| title | Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? |
| title_full | Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? |
| title_fullStr | Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? |
| title_short | Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? |
| title_sort | effects of a partially perforated flooring system on ammonia emissions in broiler housing conflict of objectives between animal welfare and environment |
| topic | broiler production alternative flooring ammonia emissions animal welfare environmental impact |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/707 |
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