Effect of litter and dietary amendments on ammonia concentration, broiler performance and litter quality in winter

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of sodium bisulphate in litter and low protein diet with protease on ammonia concentration, broiler performance and litter quality in winter season (December-January). Two hundred and forty day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups. Control group (Tc) had no dietary and litter amendments and other three included, litter amendment with sodium bisulphate (Ts), dietary amendment with low protein supplemented with protease enzyme (Tp) and both dietary and litter amendment (Tsp). The findings of the study revealed a significant (p <= 0.05) higher ammonia concentration in control group as compared to treatment groups. The average body weight was significantly higher in Ts group followed by Tsp group, Tp and control (Tc) group at 42 days of age. Best FCR was observed in litter amended (Ts) group. Sodium bisulphate decreased the pH and moisture content of the litter in both the treatments where it was used which seems to be the reason for low ammonia concentration, and improved gain in weight, FCR and low mortality. It can be concluded that the addition of sodium bisulphate in litter can significantly reduce the ammonia concentration, and improve growth rate and litter quality in broilers.