Impact of acidified clay and sodium bisulfate on litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts and broiler footpad dermatitis

Acidified clay and sodium bisulfate are common litter amendments utilized to control ammonia and lower pH in poultry litter. Three separate pen trials were conducted to compare the efficacy of both amendments for controlling litter ammonia, pH, total aerobic plate counts (APC), and improving footpad lesions in commercial broilers. A commercial broiler research farm was chosen as the test site. Day-old broiler chicks were placed in 40 pens (60 per pen for a total of 2400 birds) on used pine shavings. Pens were blocked within the house. Prior to placement pens were de-caked and top dressed as necessary. Treatments consisted of (1) control; (2) acidified clay and (3) sodium bisulfate. Composite litter surface samples were collected from each pen and analyzed for pH and APC on days 0-5. Litter surface ammonia concentrations were measured on days 0-5. Ammonia flux measurements were recorded on days 3 and 6. Broiler footpad lesion scores were assessed on day 38. Ammonia, pH, total APC and ammonia flux values were significantly lower in treated litter compared to values in the control. Ammonia concentrations in the acidified clay group were significantly lower than values in the sodium bisulfate group. On day 1, pH and total APC values in the acidified clay treated litter were lower than values in the sodium bisulfate treated litter. Average footpad lesion scores within a pen were significantly higher in the control group as compared to the acidified clay and sodium bisulfate groups. Additionally, average footpad lesion scores were significantly higher in the sodium bisulfate group as compared to the acidified clay group. Both litter amendments proved effective for controlling ammonia, pH, total APC and improving footpad dermatitis, supporting greater broiler rearing efficiency, productivity, and marketable broiler paws.