PROJECT F-1

Farm Wastes Treatment Projects
Chicken Grow-out House, Maryland

PROBLEM:
High ammonia levels, poor air quality in chicken house

SOLUTION:
Application of MicroSorb® IS to chicken house floor

Prior to the release of chicks, MicroSorb® IS was applied to the floor of a chicken grow-out house at a rate of 1 pound per 1,000 feet in a dry powder form. Approximately 1/4 of the floor area was covered. As the grow-out proceeded, the grower noticed the level of ammonia was less in the area where the MicroSorb® IS was applied and that the chickens tended to stay in that area. After approximately 4 weeks, samples were taken of the litter in the area where MicroSorb® IS was applied and also from litter of a grow-out in a neighboring house with chickens of approximately the same age.

RESULTS:
Inorganic nitrogen converted to organic nitrogen, a food source.

Parameter Results (mg/Kg)
Without Microbes		 Results (mg/Kg)
With Microbes
Nitrogen, Ammonia 6,600 3,900
Nitrogen, Nitrate 1,000 53
Nitrogen, Nitrate 310 20
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl 4,400 6,500
Phosphorus, Total 3,000 2,100
Phosphate, Total 9,200 6,400
TCLP Phosphorus, Total 360 140
(RCRA Hazardous Waste Characterization) (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) (TCLP)

The inorganic nitrogen was converted to organic nitrogen, a food source. The leaching characteristic of the phosphorus was reduced, a benefit to groundwater and surface waters. With the reduction of the ammonia, air emissions were reduced, the health of the chickens improved, and mortality rates decreased by about 50%. Grow-out times were reduced, thus increasing production rates. The microbial consortium in MicroSorb® IS has a concentration of 567 billion microbes/ounce. Fifteen pounds of MicroSorb® IS will treat a grow-out house.