Fermentation litter is also called litter with bacteria, bacterial, bacterial litter. This is a drug with beneficial bacteria and enzymes that has many benefits. There are various brands of this product with certain characteristics. Fermentation litter is used in specific conditions, there are contraindications.
Advantages and disadvantages of the fermented litter for chicken coop
Bacterial litter has many advantages:
- harmless composition from environmentally friendly components;
- safety at work: a person does not need a respirator, gloves and other protective equipment even when working with bacteria in the form of a powder;
- maintaining heat in the chicken coop: figures depend on the manufacturer, season, insulation of the house;
- convenience for birds, freedom of movement;
- ammonia absorption;
- neutralization of pathogenic bacteria;
- quick processing of chicken droppings: less cleaning, risk of disease, lack of unpleasant odor characteristic of bowel movements;
- lack of need for an additional room for chicken manure;
- Save time for the breeder - unlike an exclusively organic substrate, bacteria last for months and years;
- the possibility of secondary use of litter as a fertilizer for a vegetable garden or garden;
- lack of an unpleasant smell, a possibility of storage in any place.
Thanks to the benefits provided by the use of bacteria, chickens may increase egg production. To do this, all the necessary conditions are created: warm, dry, comfortable, the risk of disease is minimal.
There are practically no drawbacks in the fermentation litter. Among them include perhaps the high cost of funds. In fact, this litter is enough for several months, which saves a lot of time. Given the reduction in the risk of diseases and other benefits, the use of this tool is ultimately beneficial.
The disadvantage of fermentation litter is also the presence of contraindications, but they are not numerous.
Watch the video review of the bacterial litter for the chicken coop, which discusses its pros and cons:
Product brands
A variety of fermentation sheets can be found on sale. Each brand has certain characteristics:
- Net Plast. The product is made in China. Its composition is represented by synthetic and sour-milk bacteria, enzymes. Consumes 0.5 kg per 10 square meters. m. Serves the drug up to 3 years. Heat release on the surface - 25 degrees, inside - up to 50 degrees. Used without water.
- Deep bedding "Farmyard". Take two-thirds of large sawdust, and on top lay one-third of the straw. The thickness of the litter should be at least 20 cm. Sprinkle the preparation at the rate of 5 g per one square meter of floor onto the litter through a sieve. Repeat every 2 weeks.
- Biolatic Multi-25. Bacteria of the international brand (Hong Kong). Such litter can last up to 2-3 years. Consumption is 0.5 kg of bacteria per 10 square meters. You can use it with water, and without it.
- Bioside. Litter of the Russian manufacturer. It warms up to 20 degrees, inside the litter - up to 50 degrees. Used without water. Consumes 0.5 kg of bacteria (one package) per 10 square meters. m
- Biogerm. The drug is produced in Germany. Consumption - 1 kg of bacteria per 10 square meters. Fermentation litter lasts up to 2 years. Used with water.
- Fermenter from TM "Emelya". Produces such a fermentation litter Tatarstan. Consumption is 0.5 l of the drug per 6-10 square meters. m
Fermentation litter Net-Plast
Deep bedding "Farmyard" for birds
Multi-25 Biolatic Deep Bed Bacteria
Fermentation litter "BioSide"
BioGerm for poultry
Fermenter from TM "Emelya"
Litter conditions
Fermentation litter is used in certain conditions. First of all, this means the floor requirements in the chicken coop. The surface should be flat and solid, always dry. Material matters. The best are stone and concrete floors, plastic coatings.
Not only the characteristics of the floor are important, but also the proper preparation of the fermentation bed itself. The conditions for its use are indicated on the packaging, but there are general rules:
- When starting the bacterial bedding for chickens, heat is needed. This means that the temperature should be positive. In winter, the room is heated if necessary. It is also important to further maintain the temperature in the house. The room should be insulated so that the temperature in it does not fall below 0 degrees.
- Mandatory organic substrate. Fermentation litter is only additives, and the bacteria in its composition must be mixed with a certain material.
- Bacteria multiply upon contact with a tree. To form an organic litter, in which the fermentation agent will be added, resort to woodworking waste. Preference is given to medium-sized sawdust with a particle length of 3 cm. Larger sawdust does not create the right habitat, bird droppings do not absorb well. If you use small sawdust, they will be compressed, which will block the access of oxygen to the lower layer of the litter - bacterial reproduction will cease under such conditions.
- Quality ventilation. Bacteria produce heat. If the room is not ventilated, the humidity level will increase. Condensation will begin to accumulate on the ceiling and walls. There is a risk of developing mold, chicken diseases.
- Timely change of litter in accordance with the periods specified in the instructions. If this condition is not met, worms will appear.
- The density of the bird in the chicken coop. It is recommended to keep 5 chickens per square meter. Fewer birds also mean fewer litter, and it is nutritious for bacteria. Lack of nutrition means loss of enzyme efficiency, their death. If there are too many chickens, then the bacteria will not cope. A negative factor for bacteria is the fact that with a high density of chickens, the litter is heavily compacted, and the access of oxygen under such conditions is blocked.
Terms of use
Before using the fermentation litter, it is important to properly prepare the room. The following manipulations are required:
- Washing and disinfection of the house. It is better to postpone this stage for the duration of the change of livestock or the period before the first frost. The optimal time for laying bacteria is autumn, but even before frost. Disinfection should be carried out with products that are safe for poultry. It is necessary to process not only the premises, but also the inventory: feeders, drinking bowls. Lime is best suited for such purposes.
- Drying and airing the room. Lay the fermentation litter only in a dry house.
- Organization of ventilation (forced), if this has not been done before.
To use bacteria, you must first organize a classic litter. For this, they take not only sawdust, but also other organic material. Peat is well suited due to the active absorption of ammonia and carbon dioxide vapors. You can use it only or combine with other organics. The recommended thickness of the bedding for chickens is 30-40 cm. If it is too thin, it stops quickly.
Fermentation litter must be mixed with the prepared organic layer. Bacteria are sold in various forms - in the form of liquid solutions, powders, granules. The amount of the drug per 1 square. m is indicated on the package. Bacteria on the litter should be distributed evenly.
Some fermentation sheets require the addition of water. In this case, the drug must be evenly distributed on the organic substrate, and then moisten it - the required amount of water is indicated on the package. It is effective to use a watering can with a spray nozzle - moistening the litter will be more even. Water should be warm. Thanks to watering, bacteria are activated.
Water quality matters - tap water with bleach is not suitable, since it has a detrimental effect on bacteria. The best option is spring water, you can also take it in local clean reservoirs.
If, according to the instructions, the fermentation litter must be started with water, then after moistening, mixing and loosening is required. For bedding with straw or hay, it is better to use forks, and when working with sawdust, a shovel is more convenient.
Another option is the launch of the fermentation litter, which requires the use of water. The liquid is used to prepare the solution - the amount of the preparation specified in the instructions is diluted in it and the prepared organic litter is shed with the obtained product.
By the end of the week after the start of the fermentation litter, bacterial performance should be checked. The success of all measures is indicated by an increase in temperature inside the litter. This means that chickens can be run into the house.
Replace the fermentation litter after the expiration of its operation. Also, a replacement should be carried out before the new population of chickens is populated, when the old is sent for slaughter. Standard preparation is mandatory: cleaning, disinfection, drying, ventilation, laying of fresh organic litter.
Litter Care Features
Fermentation litter significantly reduces cleaning time and provides many other benefits, but requires some care. Mandatory event is loosening of litter. It is recommended to carry out it every 3 days, but in the first week after the start of bacteria, such manipulations are not needed. Without such an event, the bacteria will gradually die, and the entire efficiency of the fermentation litter will come to naught.
For cultivation, you can use a rake or pitchfork. This allows you to evenly distribute chicken droppings on the litter, which improves the efficiency of bacteria. Loosening also provides better penetration of oxygen, which is an important condition for the growth of bacteria.
Chickens also loosen the litter in the house. You can stimulate them to such an action if you scatter a small amount of grain on the floor.
Another important condition for caring for the fermentation bedding is control and maintenance of an optimum level of humidity. Before starting the litter, it is necessary to organize proper ventilation, and then make sure that its level does not exceed 60%. For control, a psychrometer (psychrometric hygrometer) is usually used.
If the humidity in the room has risen sharply, you need to loosen the substrate and sprinkle superphosphate - 1 kg per square meter. On top of the product should be covered with a layer of fresh sawdust or other material suitable for bedding.
Manufacturers indicate on the packaging that the fermentation litter lasts up to 2-3 years. In fact, the effect of bacteria is gradually weakening. Necessary periodically add fresh remedy.
If necessary bacteria feed. For this, 20 g of the drug and 1 kg of sugar are dissolved in water. Such a remedy must be left for several hours, and then spilled with the litter, having first loosened it.
Contraindications
A contraindication to the use of fermentation litter is a wooden floor due to the chemical reaction of wood and bacteria. It is also not allowed to disinfect litter with preparations against insects and rodents.
When operating the fermentation litter, the following factors are contraindicated:
- high humidity in the chicken coop;
- temperature is below 0 degrees;
- too large or small number of birds;
- lack of natural material - organic litter;
- lack of oxygen - this leads to excessive compression of the substrate;
- drying of the litter - it is especially important to monitor its moisture in the summer, additional moisture may be required.
Fermentation litter for chickens - special bacteria that can solve a lot of problems. When used correctly, the product will process bird droppings, generate heat, and neutralize pathogenic bacteria. Fermentation litter can last up to 3 years and requires minimal maintenance.