Deep litter

Deep litter is an animal housing system, based on the repeated spreading of straw or sawdust material in indoor booths.

"The first experimental evidence with reference to the user of built-up litter as a sanitary procedure was secured by the Ohio Station in 1946 when it was first used in the brooder house.

During the three years previous when the floor litter was removed and renewed at frequent intervals, the average mortality of 10 broods, or a total of 18,000 chicks, was 19 percent.

Experiments have shown that deep litter is an effective method of exposing chicks to the bacteria at a safe rate.

"[4] Experiments have shown major potential benefits to utilizing the deep litter method, specifically within piggeries.

Studies have shown that pigs raised in a deep litter system have a lower feed to gain ratio, produce a higher quality of pork, create a significantly lower amount of gaseous emissions, show improvements in odor nuisance reduction, and have better animal welfare.

"Feed intake was lower (p < 0.05) in legumes and green pasture than deep litter suggesting economic benefit.

It was concluded that access to legumes enhanced the performance of layers compared to deep litter and green pasture as indicated by the parameters measured."

(Oke, Abstract)[8] This particular study determined that the deep litter method was not beneficial in terms of egg layer production in chickens.

(Linn, Abstract)[9] This study concluded that "deep litter could be suitable for the evolution of bacterial antibiotic-resistance under conditions of continuous usage or accumulation of antibiotics and heavy metals without proper management."

(Linn, Abstract)[9] This paper highlights the risk of introducing the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoting supplements and pesticides rather than a direct contribution of deep litter systems.

The build-up of moisture cannot be absorbed quickly enough to fully decompose and causes rotting, unpleasant odors, and harmful gases.

(Li, 1412)[5] This type of farming has created a new market for sheds specifically designed to utilize the deep litter method.