Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• If litter is eaten by certified organic birds (hay, straw, hulls, etc.) it must be from a
certified organic source and comply with the feed requirements of section 205.237
of the final rule (see
appendix 7
)
.
A well-managed composting litter pack also provides the farmer with a nitrogen-rich re-
source, not a pollution liability. In order for this to be true, however, it must be managed with
the intent to create a nutrient resource while enhancing the birds' environment. Proper carbon/
nitrogen ratios, mixing, turning, and heating are all important aspects to using a composting lit-
ter system. The author can recommend the following system for a composting litter:
1. Start with 3-6 in. of dry material on a dirt, cement, or wood floor.
2. Add litter or water as needed to maintain a litter moisture content of 20-25 percent. (To assess the
litter condition and moisture content, pick up a handful and squeeze it tightly, then open your
hand. If the condition is correct it should feel dry and friable in the hand, and not ball up.)
3. To stimulate bio-processing, encourage birds to scratch up and aerate litter by throwing whole
grains into it.
4. Composting litter ideally has a carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 25-35 to 1. It requires mixing
ample amounts of bedding—the carbon source—with the raw manure.
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5. Periodically rototill or fork by hand (or use a pig) to prevent capping or crusting.
6. When properly composting, the litter stabilizes floor temperature at 70ºF.
7. Periodically remove the compost pack. This may only be necessary every two to three years.
8. Further composting outside the poultry house may further reduce pathogens and improve the
carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
A farmer who maintains a certified organic operation, or follows the National Rule without
actual certification, must follow further processing and spreading requirements. According to
the 2003 recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Compost Task
Force, composted litter would only be considered compost if (
a
) it is made only from allowed
feedstock materials; (
b
) the compost undergoes an increase in temperature to at least 131ºF
(55ºC) and remains at that temperature for a minimum of three days; and (
c
) the compost pile is
these parameters are not met, the litter is not considered compost and must be treated like raw
manure. Currently raw animal manure may only be (
a
) applied to land used for a crop not in-
tended for human consumption; (
b
) incorporated into the soil not less than 120 days prior to
harvest of a product whose edible portion has direct soil contact; or (
c
) incorporated into the
soil not less than 90 days prior to harvest of a product whose edible portion does not have con-
tact with the soil.
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