Reducing Volatile Fatty Acids in Poultry Litter with Chemical Additives: A Laboratory Experiment

Abstract

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, 8 g of FeSO4, 8 g of alum, and 8 g of AlCl3/100 g 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: 8 g of AlCl3/100 g of litter > 8 g of alum/100 g of litter > 8 g of FeSO4/100 g of litter > Control. When compared to the controls at 3 weeks, total VFA production was reduced by 14, 33, and 42%, respectively, with 8 g of FeSO4, alum, and AlCl3/100 g of litter. Likewise, application of 8 g FeSO4, alum, and AlCl3/100 g 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.