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Nutrients in Manure from Commercial White Leghorn Pullets

Department of Poultry Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; Phone: (814) 865-3414; FAX: (814) 865-5691

Correspondence: P. H. Patterson

Few if any reports in the literature on poultry manure management reflect the body weight, feed consumption, and nutrient production of today's commercial pullets, or the rearing practices of their producers. Because nutrient management laws and regulations can restrict the number of birds per farm, values that reflect modern genetics and current management practices are critical. In an 18-month field study, five commercial flocks were selected to measure manure production and nutrient concentration of Leghorn pullets. The total amount of manure (tons) and concentrations of N, P₂O₅, K₂O, Ca, Mg, and moisture were measured. The results suggest that modern pullets are smaller, consume less feed, and are reared to younger ages before housing. Pullet manure contains slightly more N and less P and K than commercial Leghorn hen manure. Approximately 32% of feed N is lost to the atmosphere as ammonia N, while another 43% remains with the manure. Although the objective of pullet rearing is to transform feed nutrients into health pullets, less than 25% of the dietary N, P, K, Ca, or Mg remains with the finished pullet.

Key Words: Manure • nitrogen • nutrient management • phosphorus • pullets