THE PROBLEM OF MOISTURE 

 IN POULTRY HOUSE LITTER* 



A Three Year Study 



T. B. Charles. A. E. Tepper/ W. T. Ackerman; B. W. French,' 

 R. C. DurgiiV and R. B. Ralphs 



INTRODUCTION 



The problem of moisture in poultr}' house litter is one of general 

 concern. Attempts to eliminate the problem in a ])ractical way. 

 have been and are being tried by many poultrymen. Most of these 

 methods involve the associated problems connected with the applica- 

 tion of heat, use of insulation, and variable controls of ventilation. 



Previous work at this Station involving litter mositure has been 

 confined to brooding conditions. (See Cir. 46, lune 1934 and Bui. 303, 

 March 1938) 



The phases of this subject which ai)pear not to have been estab- 

 lished are: (1) a specific and technical standard of "Pro]:)er Litter 

 Condition", (2) how much moisture (measured) exists in both "de- 

 sirable" and "undesirable" litter conditions, and (3) what other fac- 

 tors in addition to heat, insulation and ventilation may exert control 

 over litter moisture conditions. 



Twelve dififerent litters or combinations of litters commonl\' used 

 under practical conditions were employed in the experimental study. 

 (See Plot House Data) 



Any study of cause and effects of litter moisture in poultry houses 

 is influenced by the normal climatic conditions during the experimen- 

 tal period. Dr. D. H. Chapman of the Geology Department has fur- 

 nished the following statements on the general weather in the Durham 

 area : 



"The mean annual temperature for Durham is 46°. During 1940, 

 the highest temperature recorded w^as 95° on July 26 ; the lowest, 

 -17°, on December 4. January usually is the coldest month, with the 

 normal temperature of 23°. February is practically as cold. July, 

 with a normal temperature of 69°, averages fully 2° warmer than Au- 

 gust. In Durham during 1940. the last spring freezing temperature 

 occurred May 14, and the first fall frost was recorded September 27. 

 The year 1940 was almost exactly normal as regards temperature. 



The normal annual precipitation at Durham is 38.01 inches, but 



* A cooperative project between the Poultry Husbandry Department and the Agricultural Engi- 

 neering Division of the Agronomy Department. 



1 Resigned May IS, 1942. 

 - Resigned June 30, 1941. 

 3 Resigned June 30, 1941. 



* Resigned December 31. 1940. 



= Leave of Absence from September. 1941. 



