What is Chicken Litter? The Complete Guide to Poultry Bedding and Its Many Uses

Have you ever wondered what happens to all that stuff on the floor of chicken coops? That mix of wood shavings, feathers, and chicken poop has a name – chicken litter! And surprisingly, it’s more valuable than you might think. As someone who’s spent years around poultry farms, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about this underappreciated resource.

What Exactly is Chicken Litter?

Chicken litter (also called poultry litter or broiler litter) is basically a mixture of

• Bedding materials (wood shavings, sawdust, straw, etc.)
• Chicken manure and droppings
• Feathers shed by the birds
• Spilled feed
• Other organic matter that accumulates in poultry houses

It’s important to understand that chicken litter isn’t just waste – it’s a valuable byproduct of poultry production that has multiple uses in agriculture and beyond

The Composition of Chicken Litter

Bedding Materials

The foundation of chicken litter is the bedding material which is spread approximately 5 cm deep on the floor of poultry houses. Common bedding materials include

• Wood shavings – Most popular in many regions
• Sawdust – Widely available and absorbent
• Rice hulls – Common in regions like the Mississippi River poultry areas
• Straw – Traditional bedding option
• Peanut hulls – Used in peanut-producing regions
• Paper products – Sometimes used but may not dry appropriately
• Sand – Occasionally used as bedding

The choice of bedding material varies by region based on availability and cost. For example, pine shavings are preferred in many areas due to their performance and absorbency, while rice hulls might be more common in Arkansas and Mississippi.

Nutrient Content

What makes chicken litter so valuable as a fertilizer is its nutrient profile. It contains significant amounts of:

• Nitrogen (N) – About 2.6% of dry matter (ranging from 1.4-8.4%)
• Phosphorus (P) – About 1.8% of dry matter (ranging from 1.2-2.8%)
• Potassium (K) – About 1.0% of dry matter (ranging from 0.9-2.0%)
• Calcium (Ca) – About 2.5% of dry matter (ranging from 1.7-3.7%)
• Other minerals – Including magnesium, sulfur, and sodium

The nitrogen in poultry manure exists primarily as uric acid (70%) and undigested proteins (30%). Under the right conditions, these break down into forms plants can use.

How Much Litter Do Chickens Produce?

A typical broiler chicken produces approximately 1.72 kg of litter during a seven-week growing period. For perspective, a single broiler house with 20,000 birds can generate over 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of litter per flock!

In Australia alone, an estimated 738,000 tonnes or 1.66 million cubic meters of broiler litter is produced annually. That’s a lot of chicken poop!

Litter Management: Keeping It In Good Condition

Moisture Control – The Key to Quality Litter

The single most important factor in litter management is moisture control. Ideally, litter moisture should be maintained between 20-25%.

Here’s a simple test: If you squeeze a handful of litter and it:

• Sticks together tightly in a ball → Too wet
• Adheres slightly → Perfect moisture
• Won’t stick together at all → Too dry

Wet litter can cause numerous problems:

• Ammonia emissions (that strong smell in poorly ventilated coops)
• Bacterial growth and disease
• Breast blisters and skin burns on chickens
• Increased condemnations at processing
• Footpad lesions

Dry, dusty litter isn’t ideal either, as it can lead to:

• Dehydration in chicks
• Respiratory issues
• Increased dust in the poultry house

Litter Re-utilization

While many producers replace litter between flocks, some are now practicing litter re-utilization – removing only the caked portions and excess litter while keeping the base litter for multiple flocks. This can be economical, but requires proper management to avoid ammonia problems and disease issues.

Litter Amendments

Various products can be added to chicken litter to improve its quality. The most common are acidifiers, which lower the pH of the litter to reduce ammonia production. These include:

• Alum (aluminum sulfate)
• Sodium bisulfate
• Ferric sulfate
• Sulfuric acid

These amendments create acidic conditions that help retain nitrogen in the ammonium form rather than allowing it to volatilize as ammonia gas. This improves air quality in the poultry house and preserves the fertilizer value of the litter.

Windrowing

Another practice is windrowing – stacking litter into long rows within the poultry house to create a partial composting effect. When done properly, the internal temperature of these windrows can reach 140-160°F (60-71°C), killing harmful pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

Uses of Chicken Litter – It’s More Valuable Than You Think!

1. Fertilizer for Crops and Gardens

The most traditional use for chicken litter is as an organic fertilizer. It’s excellent for:

• Providing slow-release nutrients to plants
• Improving soil structure
• Enhancing soil organic matter
• Increasing soil’s water-holding capacity

The challenge with using chicken litter as fertilizer is that it’s less concentrated than chemical fertilizers, making it uneconomical to transport long distances. It’s most valuable when used on farms near where it’s produced.

2. Animal Feed (Yes, Really!)

Believe it or not, chicken litter has been used as a feed ingredient for beef cattle! This practice has been controversial but is legal in the United States. The high protein content in undigested feed makes it attractive as a low-cost feed supplement.

In 2003, concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) led the FDA to consider banning this practice, but ultimately they decided against a ban in their 2008 final rule.

3. Biofuel and Energy Production

One of the most innovative uses for chicken litter is as a fuel source. Several power plants in the UK and US use poultry litter as their primary fuel. For example:

• Thetford power plant (38.5 MWe)
• Eye power plant (12.7 MWe)
• Benson, Minnesota plant (55 MWe)

On a smaller scale, some poultry producers use litter as biomass fuel to heat their broiler houses, creating a sustainable cycle and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Newer technologies are also emerging to gasify poultry litter, producing not only energy but also valuable byproducts like activated carbon and specialized fertilizers.

Environmental Considerations

While chicken litter is a valuable resource, it must be managed properly to avoid environmental problems:

• Nutrient runoff – Excessive application can lead to water pollution
• Ammonia emissions – Proper ventilation and litter amendments are important
• Pathogen concerns – Proper composting or treatment may be necessary

Best Practices for Handling Chicken Litter

If your working with chicken litter, follow these guidelines:

1. Storage: Keep litter in a dry, ventilated area to prevent excessive moisture buildup
2. Application: Spread evenly and incorporate into soil when possible
3. Timing: Apply according to crop needs and avoid application before heavy rains
4. Testing: Conduct soil tests to determine appropriate application rates
5. Follow regulations: Be aware of local regulations regarding litter application

DIY Chicken Litter Management for Backyard Flocks

For those of you with backyard chickens, here are some practical tips:

1. Choose the right bedding: Pine shavings are generally best, but use what’s available in your area
2. Add fresh bedding regularly: Don’t wait until it’s completely soiled
3. Remove caked areas promptly: This helps control ammonia and moisture
4. Consider the deep litter method: Adding fresh bedding on top of old can create a composting effect
5. Compost used litter: Let it age before using it in your garden

Chicken litter might not be the most glamorous topic, but it’s a perfect example of how something that might seem like waste can actually be a valuable resource. Whether you’re a commercial poultry producer with thousands of birds or a backyard chicken keeper with just a few hens, understanding how to manage and utilize litter properly can save money, improve bird health, and benefit the environment.

Next time you’re cleaning out your chicken coop, remember – you’re not just dealing with waste, you’re harvesting a multi-purpose agricultural resource that can help grow food, generate energy, and build better soil.

Have you used chicken litter in your garden or for other purposes? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!