Development and evaluation of a composting technique for broiler poultry litter

Abstract

Large quantities of poultry litter generated from broiler farming create environmental and disposal problems. Composting is an effective biological method to stabilize poultry waste and convert it into nutrient rich organic manure. The present study was conducted to develop and evaluate a suitable composting technique for broiler poultry litter using microbial consortia and organic amendments. Composting was carried out using broiler poultry litter as the primary substrate supplemented with urea, cow dung slurry, fertile garden soil and microbial inoculants. The composting process was monitored at 30, 60 and 90 days to evaluate changes in physical and chemical parameters such as maximum water holding capacity, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon nitrogen ratio and macro and micronutrients. The results showed gradual improvement in compost quality with compost maturity. Maximum water holding capacity increased from 47.80 percent to 55.40 percent while bulk density decreased from 0.86 to 0.68 g cm-3 indicating improved porosity. Organic carbon decreased from 36.80 percent to 32.60 percent due to microbial mineralization, whereas total nitrogen increased from 1.35 percent to 1.89 percent. The carbon nitrogen ratio narrowed from 27.25 to 17.24 indicating compost stabilization. Nutrient enrichment was observed with increases in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients. The study demonstrated that broiler poultry litter can be effectively converted into stable and nutrient rich compost within 90 days using microbial inoculants and proper aeration.