Using Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride with Calcium Carbonate to Reduce Ammonia Volatilization and Increase Nitrogen Content from Poultry Litter

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a blend of anhydrous aluminum chloride and calcium carbonate on poultry litter properties, such as pH, NH3 emissions, and nitrogen (N) content, over a 4-week period. The chemical treatment agents used in this study were added to the poultry litter, with rice hulls at a rate of 40 g aluminum chloride + 60 g calcium carbonate/kg litter and mixed into the upper 1 cm of litter; untreated poultry litter acted as the control. When a combination of anhydrous AlCl3 and CaCO3 was used as an additive, NH3 emissions were significantly reduced (P <0.05) by 55.3%, 56.4%, 40.1%, and 35.8% after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively, unlike that in the control groups. Additionally, the litter pH was observed to reduce (from 6.87 to 8.23). Over time, total N and NH4-N contents significantly increased (P<0.05) in litter samples with the added combination of anhydrous AlCl3 and CaCO3, unlike that observed in the control litter. However, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between the control and treated litters for total N at 4 weeks or NH4-N at 2 and 4 weeks. In conclusion, we have shown that adding a combination of chemicals to litter may be a beneficial strategy to decrease NH3 and N loss from poultry litter.