Bacteria for chicken coop litter: do-it-yourself organization and care of biomaterial

When organizing a chicken coop, breeders must cover the floor with a certain material. This need is explained by the fact that poultry without a substrate, due to accumulated waste products, are more likely to get sick. The current market offers a selection of specialized coop bedding bacteria that recycle organic compounds to prevent rot and eliminate odors.

Why do we need bedding with bacteria?

Bio (or fermentation) bedding is a relatively new product on the market, which is a set of granules, solutions or powders, which include aerobic bacteria. Similar additives are used in the substrate for the processing of bird droppings.

Standard bedding made of sawdust or other materials should be changed every 3-5 days. The use of aerobic bacteria allows this procedure to be carried out every 2-3 years.

The need for regular change of substrates is due to the fact that the litter, getting into the straw or sawdust, begins to rot. This process promotes the spread of pathogenic microorganisms throughout the chicken coop and significantly increases the risk of diseases in poultry.

Aerobic bacteria prevent decay and fermentation. These microorganisms in the process of life produce heat. By pouring fermentation bedding up to half a meter high, you can provide the chicken coop with sufficient heat during the cold season. Aerobic bacteria are able to heat sawdust and straw to a temperature of +30 degrees.

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of biobacteria in chicken coop bedding has the following advantages over traditional chicken coop bedding:

No rotting material. This reduces the risk of infecting poultry. Also, by eliminating rotting, bacteria keep the coop clean.
The chicken coop is maintained at a comfortable temperature for living. The substrate, due to the activity of aerobic bacteria, warms up to +30 degrees.
Improve the smell inside the coop.
Manure is processed into organic compost that can be used to fertilize plants.
Fermentation bed should be changed no more than once every 2-3 years.

Bio bedding is ineffective at temperatures below 0 degrees: beneficial bacteria die due to frost. Despite the fact that such substrates are significantly more expensive than standard ones, such a solution is ultimately more profitable than traditional ways of organizing a chicken coop.To meet the needs, no more than 10-50 grams of fermentation bacteria per square meter of the room will be required. However, a lot of straw or sawdust is needed to form a biosubstrate.

When using a fermentation bed, it is necessary to ensure the removal of moisture: if the ventilation is insufficient, condensation will appear on the material. In addition, chickens often consume straw or sawdust. And due to the ingestion of enzymes in the stomach, the birds develop digestive tract dysfunction.

Varieties of bedding

To organize a deep (at least 40 centimeters) litter in a chicken coop with your own hands, it is recommended to pay attention to the products of the following brands:

BioGerm. German complex bacterial bedding that destroys pathogenic bacteria, fungi and mold. The product does not contain toxic substances, hormones or antibiotics.For each square meter of the chicken coop, 50 grams of this powder will be required. Biobedding with BioGerm is replaced every two years.
Net-Plast. Chinese product recommended for use with sawdust. Netto-Plast prevents rotting and eliminates unpleasant odors. The main disadvantage of such a biolitter is that the bacteria are activated 6-7 days after the introduction of enzymes.
BioSide. Russian product, including 11 varieties of aerobic bacteria. An important feature of BioSide is that after applying the biolitter, it is necessary to ensure a constant supply of manure or urea. Otherwise, the bacteria will die.
Baikal EM 1. The product is available as a liquid containing biobacteria. This form is convenient because immediately after sawdust processing, Baikal EM 1 begins to act. Do not use chlorinated water with this product.
Bioferm. Ukrainian bio-litter, which must be dug up every 5-6 days. This product requires replacement after 3 years. Bioferm heats the chicken coop up to +20 degrees.

Efficiency of most of these biomats is the same. The main difference between the products lies in the form of release and the rate of enzyme activation.

How to choose?

When choosing the right litter for chickens, consider the following guidelines:

purchase certified products;
pay attention to the brand and manufacturer reviews;
after purchase, treat a small area with enzymes and evaluate the effectiveness of the product;
pay attention to the expiration date and duration of the biolitter;
take into account the requirements for the use of the drug.

Also, when choosing chicken litter, consider the type of bacteria contained in the product. Some microorganisms need to provide specific conditions for life (constant supply of urea, etc.).

Conditions for application

The effectiveness of the fermentation bed depends on the conditions of use. In order for the biomaterial to perform its own functions, it is necessary to provide:

working ventilation that will prevent condensation from settling on sawdust or straw;
constant supply of oxygen, which requires regular (every 5-6 days) stirring up the litter;
humidity at 25%.

If the chicken coop has a deep substrate, then the bird population should not exceed five individuals per square meter.

After the expiration date (indicated on the packaging), the litter can be fertilized by plants without additional processing.

How to use it correctly?

The new bio-litter is laid according to the following algorithm:

All birds are removed from the chicken coop, after which the room is ventilated, cleaned and disinfected. The best time to change the bedding is mid-autumn.
The plaster on the walls is being updated, the feeders and drinking bowls are being cleaned.
Before laying the litter, the floor is dried and, if necessary, heated. Biobacteria die if the ambient temperature drops to 0 degrees.
Sawdust, peat, moss or other material is distributed along the floor. The thickness of the substrate varies between 27-40 centimeters.
An enzyme preparation is distributed over the surface of the substrate. If powder is used, then the latter, after application, is filled with water in the required volume.

In some cases it is necessary to lay out bedding and enzymes in layers. The product must not come into contact with the wooden floor.

Features of litter care

Microorganisms contained in bio-bedding require a regular supply of nutrients. Therefore, in order for the substrate to “work”, it is necessary to periodically add litter (urea) and a mixture of 20 grams of enzymes and one kilogram of sugar.

After laying the biolitter, it is forbidden to use insecticides and other means used in the fight against parasites and rodents. The humidity level in the room with such a substrate should not exceed 60%. Otherwise, it is important to provide effective ventilation.

To organize a litter with bacteria, it is recommended to take wood waste of a large fraction. Fine raw materials stick together over time, forming dense lumps.

In winter, it is recommended to install a thermometer in the chicken coop. If the ambient temperature begins to decrease, then the bedding must be mixed with cattle manure, which contains microelements that activate biobacteria.In the event of a sharp change in the living conditions of chickens, the house should be heated

Contraindications

Bio bedding has no contraindications for use. Such a product is based on natural ingredients, which do not include hormones or antibiotics. Therefore, fermentation mats are not dangerous for birds and humans.