Table 1.
Litter treatments and conditions adopted across six sequential farming cycles within the three test sheds on Farm 1# and Farm 2.
| Litter Treatments Adopted on F1 and F2 During the Study | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| New Shed 1 | ##Partial Re-use Shed 2 | Full Re-use Shed 3 | |
| Nature of bedding | (1) Always new. | (1) New and old. | (1) Always old. |
| in sheds during the study on F1 and F2 | (2) Litter removed after each cycle and new bedding placed. | (2) Litter from brooder moved to grow-out and new bedding placed; litter from grow-out removed from shed | (2) Bedding never removed but re-used across whole shed i.e., brooder and grow-out |
| Litter management between cycles during the study on F1 and F2 (all sheds cleaned sanitized between cycles, sprayed for insects) | New bedding placed across whole shed | Litter from brooder heaped into pile at grow-out end for ∼5 to 6 d and then spread at grow-out end. Clumps removed. | (1) Farm 1: Litter heaped across entire length of shed for 5 d and spread.(2) Farm 2: Litter aerated mechanically, clumps removed and spread. |
| Biosecurity measures during cycleson F1 and F2 | |||
| The use of footbaths with disinfectant and protective clothing on entry of authorized personnel | |||