Deep litter for pigs is characterized by the laying of lactic acid and photosynthetic bacteria, due to which heat is stored for a long time. The use of fermentation material creates comfortable conditions, saves money (it is not necessary to additionally connect heaters) and promotes the absorption of waste.
The essence and features of technology
In simple words, the functionality of the deep litter is the same as that of the dry closet - certain bacteria are placed in dry sawdust or other material. This technology has been used for many years in the USA, Asia and Europe, as it has a high level of profitability, which reduces costs on farms. The main principle of bio-litter is a continuous chain of chemical reactions that cause fermentation.
Coprophagous bacteria are found in special biological preparations. Their action is aimed at the following:
- elimination of unpleasant odors;
- heat generation - up to 40 degrees;
- neutralization of pathogenic microflora;
- strengthening the immunity of pigs;
- reducing the number of times a pigsty is cleaned;
- decomposition of animal waste;
- composting manure.
Deep litter is considered durable - it has been used for 4 years. But the main condition for this is the constant presence of livestock in this room. Otherwise, the introduced bacteria die (the power source disappears).
After laying the materials, at least three days must pass before the bacteria begin to act, and the layer thickness should be at least 50 cm, maximum 1 meter.
Pros and cons
Any innovative technology has its pros and cons. The deep litter has the following advantages:
- profitability;
- ease of design;
- no need to install a ventilation system;
- a wide range of applications - for large farms and private small livestock;
- the possibility of using improvised materials;
- increase in body weight of pigs (weight gain is 85 grams per day);
- no need to clean the air of ammonia vapors;
- durability;
- relatively low cost of biological products;
- the litter remains always dry;
- there is no need to remove manure (bacteria absorb it);
- purity of pigs;
- due to the high temperature of the litter, rodents and other pests are not bred;
- the possibility of using the resulting manure as an organic fertilizer.
In the deep litter, you can install an automatic hopper for feeding compound feed in the feed mode once a week. Thanks to this, feed is saved.
Among the shortcomings can be noted difficulties in cleaning the litter (although this should be done every 4-5 years). This is due to the fact that the layer is too large.
How to arrange a deep litter?
For the deep litter to function properly, adhere to the following rules:
- eliminate drafts;
- provide the room with simple ventilation;
- do not lay the material on a concrete floor covering - it is better to use the soil;
- minimum air temperature - 0 degrees;
- natural materials must be dry (the only way they put the biological product);
- before laying the first layer, disinfecting measures are carried out, dirt and old manure must be cleaned;
- the temperature when creating the litter should be from + 5 to + 10 degrees;
- the first layer should be 20 cm, after which the drug is added (then the same amount of materials is laid, the drug is added again, etc.);
- cellulose should be based on fiber (40-60%), since it is this substance that increases fermentation.
The biological layer should consist of natural materials. For this, straw from cereals, sawdust, hay and the like are used. You can use one of the materials or mix them in a free ratio. When the biomaterial ceases to act, an unpleasant odor appears, and the litter does not absorb moisture. A variety of preparations are used to equip the deep litter.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the expanded material on caring for pigs in this article: features of pig breeding.
Barnyard
This tool is popular among farmers. It is available in powder form. When installing the bedding, you must adhere to such recommendations:
- To achieve a positive result, a floor is created from the soil, which should have a slight slope. If the flooring is concrete in the pigsty, then a grate is laid on it, through which the liquid will drain. The soil should be drained, for which you can add a little sand or sawdust.
- When laying materials, the temperature regime should be positive. Otherwise, the bacteria will not multiply and act.
- The substance from the package is mixed with a dry substrate - flour, bran or sawdust material. And only after that it crumbles over the surface of the straw.
- To distribute the powder evenly, sift it through a sieve.
- As expected, initially a layer of natural raw materials is poured into 20-30 cm, after the drug.
- Pigs start immediately.
- After a couple of days, it is necessary to again add straw and the drug (layer up to 30 cm).
- For more active work of bacteria, the drug is additionally applied once a month. This is especially important with a strong compaction of the layers.
- The minimum validity period of the Farmyard without bedding is one and a half years. But this is provided that there is an organic base. If the drug is added to the mixture of straw and sawdust, then the service life is increased.
Bacteria for litter from Biolatic
Another popular drug of a new generation, which can be used on a concrete surface. In this case, the layer should be 40-50 cm. If the bedding is formed on the soil, then the height of the layer increases by 10-15 cm.
Rules:
- One head must be placed on one square meter, that is, if there are 5 pigs in the pigsty, then the room should be at least 5 square meters. m
- For the active activity of bacteria, it is recommended that the drug be added to sawdust. If you combine them with straw, then the ratio of sawdust and other material should be 7: 1.
- The humidity of the layer should not exceed 30%.
- There is a "wet start" technology, which is used when installing a deep litter using Biolatic. This implies combining granular powdery substance with purified water that does not contain bleach. For 100 liters of water, 2 kg of the drug will be required.
- Initially, a layer of sawdust 20 cm high is formed, after which the resulting solution is distributed. For uniform application, it is advisable to use a spray gun.
- Next, another layer is created, but from manure or bran. Again, the solution from the drug is distributed.
- Run animals.
- If there are many goals in one room, then the layer needs to be changed after 2-3 years, if not enough - after 4-5. That is, with a smaller number of pigs in the pigsty, the duration of the drug increases.
- Feature - 1-2 times a week, it is desirable to dig a layer, which will evenly distribute bacteria throughout the room. If you do not dig, then you have to bring the bacteria on a monthly basis.
- After the layer of sawdust is strongly compacted and settles, it is necessary to again introduce a biological agent, but in smaller quantities.
Net Plast
The most famous drug that is used most often. This is a universal application - ideal for soil, concrete, wood and other materials. That is, you can create flooring layers on any surface. Moreover, there is no need to change the old bedding, as enzymes can multiply on any basis.
Among natural materials, it is desirable to give preference to sawdust and wood shavings. If a mixed type of litter is used, then you can add seeds, husk from buckwheat, straw and more. But wood material should be more than half by 10-20%. In this case, the humidity in the room does not need to be measured.
The process of arranging a deep litter:
- Spread natural raw materials on the floor surface. Be sure to consider the degree of shrinkage (usually 10-15 cm).
- Manually sprinkle the powdered product as evenly as possible.
- Dig a shovel or pitchfork, which will accelerate the fermentation process.
- Run the pigs.
Features of the use of the drug Net-layer:
- The minimum bacterial life is 3 years from the time of application. But for this you must follow all the rules.
- It excludes the ingress of antibacterial agents into the strata, as well as chemicals that destroy beneficial bacteria.
- Strictly monitor the even distribution of feces throughout the pigsty. If pigs defecate in only one area, you will have to use the shovel to transfer the excrement to other zones so that bacteria act everywhere.
- It is advisable to create ventilation. To do this, periodically loosening the layers. You can use the pitchfork.
- When tamping, wood chips or sawdust are additionally added. To prevent trampling of the litter, it is desirable to use large chips.
Methods of keeping pigs and piglets on a deep litter
This technology is relatively new in our country, but has already managed to gain a leading place. You can use deep flooring in many ways, which is why its versatility is manifested.
Walking method
This is the best option for using deep litter. It can be used for adults and piglets at any stage of formation. But there is one rule that must be strictly adhered to - in one pen there should be pigs of about the same age category. This is due to the fact that for piglets it is enough to lay a layer of materials up to 40 cm, for older pigs - more.
The walking method involves the arrangement of an open corral near the pigsty, where biologically active material is laid. Walking should be carried out daily, but the maximum break is 3 days. After the onset of cold weather, the litter is transferred to a room where pigs will be kept constantly.
Leisurely way
This technique is used in the winter, when there is no opportunity to take pigs to the street. This will increase the reproductive ability of pigs and accelerate the growth of piglets.
This is achieved thanks to the created microclimate. In addition, the lack of increased humidity produces animal resistance to disease.
You can also read the video material, which provides useful tips on keeping pigs on a deep litter:
Reviews
Anatoly, 46 years old. For 6 years I have been using a deep litter on my pig farm. Very convenient and profitable. So I refused the extra workers who were constantly engaged in cleaning the premises. After all, bacteria themselves absorb waste, processing them into organic matter. There is no unpleasant odor, pigs are always clean, because the floor is dry. I changed the litter after 4 and a half years. I scattered the waste material in my own garden and I will say that the yield was quite high that year.
Svetlana, 59 years old. I raise pigs of about 20 years. Usually I have them up to 10 pieces. Three years ago I read about deep litter and decided to try the technology. In principle, I am pleased with the result - dryness, cleanliness, lack of stench. But I want to pay attention to one feature. My pigs are kept in two, but some pigs defecate in only one corner, so you have to periodically (every 2-3 days) mix the biomaterial, that is, sprinkle the one with feces in other parts of the pigsty. For three years I have already accumulated a layer of about 70-80 cm, so I decided to remove a little humus and fill it with new material (I use straw and hay, the Net-plast preparation). But she removed 40 centimeters, and left the lowest layer for fermentation. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not.
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The use of deep litter is a profitable activity that reduces costs, creates comfortable conditions for animals and allows you to save your own time and energy. The main rule for the successful application of biotechnology is to strictly comply with the recommendations, requirements and dosages of drugs.
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