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Effects of Liquid Aluminum Chloride Additions to Poultry Litter on Broiler Performance, Ammonia Emissions, Soluble Phosphorus, Total Volatile Fatty Acids, and Nitrogen Contents of Litter¹

I. H. Choi^* and P. A. Moore, Jr.^,2

^* Probiotic Korea Inc., Daegu University, Gyong San, 712-714, South Korea; and USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science 115, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701

² Corresponding author: philipm{at}uark.edu

Recent studies have shown that the use of aluminum sulfate [alum, Al₂(SO₄)₃·14H₂O] and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) additions to animal manures are more effective than other chemicals in reducing ammonia (NH₃) emissions and P solubility. Although the use of Al₂(SO₄)₃·14H₂O has been intensively used in the poultry industry for many years, no research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of liquid AlCl₃ on these parameters. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of applying liquid AlCl₃ to poultry litter on 1) broiler performance, 2) NH₃ fluxes, and 3) litter chemical characteristics, including soluble reactive P, total volatile fatty acids, and N content. Eight hundred broiler chicks were placed into 16 floor pens (50 birds/pen) in a single house for 6 wk. Liquid AlCl₃ treatments were sprayed on the litter surface at rates of 100, 200, and 300 g of liquid AlCl₃/kg of litter; un-treated litter served as controls. At the 2 lower rates, liquid AlCl₃ treatments tended to improve weight gain and feed intake but had no effect on feed conversion or mortality, whereas the higher rate (300 g/kg of litter) had a negative effect on intake. Application of 100, 200, and 300 g of liquid AlCl₃ reduced NH₃ fluxes by 63, 76, and 76% during the 6-wk period, respectively, compared with the controls. Liquid AlCl₃ additions reduced litter soluble reactive P contents by 24, 30, and 36%, respectively, at the low, medium, and high rates. Total volatile fatty acid contents (odor precursors) in litter were reduced by 20, 50, and 51%, respectively, with 100, 200, and 300 g of liquid AlCl₃/kg of litter. Liquid AlCl₃ additions increased total N, inorganic N, and plant available N contents in litter. These results indicate that liquid AlCl₃ additions at the lower rates can provide significant positive environmental benefits to broiler operations.

Key Words: litter • broiler performance • ammonia emission • soluble reactive phosphorus • total volatile fatty acid

¹ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.