COMPREHENSIVE POULTRY MANURE MANAGEMENT METHOD

Abstract

An integrated system of technology applications and methods to provide comprehensive management of poultry waste improves the productivity of poultry housing facilities while reducing the environmental and public health impacts of poultry production. The method utilizes a plurality of housing units, each including plenum flooring and ventilation to improve the health of birds as they grow from hatchlings to market size adults. After the birds are removed from the housing units, manure is immediately removed from the flooring system and preferably transported to a processing facility. The units are cleaned and fumigated with ozone so that they are ready to receive a new flock within approximately 48 hours from removal of the preceding flock.

Claims

1. A method for comprehensive poultry manure management, comprising the steps of (a) installing plenum flooring, ventilation and fumigation systems in at least one poultry housing unit for feeding and growing a flock of meat poultry birds; (b) cleaning manure from said housing units immediately upon removal of each flock of birds from the housing units after the flock has reached its market weight; and (c) fumigating the housing units with ozone to reduce pathogens, insects and fungi, whereupon said housing units are available to receive a new flock of birds.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plenum flooring system is formed of non-corrosive and non-biodegradable materials.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the non-corrosive material is rigid, durable and provides a permeable upper surface that allows the passage of moisture as liquid or vapor while preventing the passage of solids to the flooring plenum space.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the flooring plenum ventilation system includes at least one reversible ventilation fan to complement and operate in coordination with standard poultry house ventilation systems to regulate flooring temperature and evacuate moisture from a flooring plenum space.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the poultry manure is removed on the same day the birds are removed.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said fumigation step may occur immediately after the poultry manure is removed from the housing units.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following drawing when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the method according to the invention; and

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the comprehensive poultry waste management system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Commercial production of meat poultry is generally performed in large housing units that are designed to protect birds from external threats such as predators and harsh weather conditions and to facilitate uniform delivery of nutrition to large flocks. In most cases, the birds are confined within the housing unit throughout their development from hatchlings to market weight adult birds. During this confinement, a bed of manure accumulates on the floor of each housing unit.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, the steps for poultry production and waste management 2 will be described. Plenum flooring, ventilation and fumigation systems are installed 4 within large poultry housing units, and additional modifications to the units are made so that the flooring, ventilation and fumigation systems will function properly. Each housing unit is divided into segments. The segments are preferably approximately one hundred feet long. At the geometric center of each segment, a reversible ventilation fan is installed. The flooring ventilation fan is sized and configured to regulate flooring temperature and evacuate moisture from the flooring plenum space. Once the flooring, ventilation and fumigation systems and associated modifications are installed in the housing units, the production facilities are preferably certified 6 according to the protocols within the meat poultry industry. The grower or producer is also preferably trained 6 to perform proper operation and maintenance of the flooring, ventilation and fumigation systems.

[0012] Following certification of installation and producer training, flocks of birds and feed are delivered 8 to the housing units. The birds are fed 10, and the housing units are serviced and maintained. Once the birds have reached their target market weight, they are removed 12 from the housing units. Following bird removal, mobile equipment is used to remove all manure from the housing units 14 and loaded onto trucks.

[0013] Once the manure is removed and the flooring system is swept, inspected and serviced as required, the housing units are fumigated with ozone 16 to further prepare them for a new flock. Manure is preferably transported 18 to an offsite manure processing facility, eliminating the need for storage or disbursement of the manure at the housing facility site. After fumigation with a programmed delay for ozone decomposition, a new flock of birds is placed in each housing unit 8 and the feeding and grow out production process is repeated.

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, the comprehensive poultry waste management system 20 according to the invention will be described. The system preferably may include approximately 250 to 350 producer-owned, new or legacy poultry or broiler housing units 22.

[0015] A modular plenum flooring system with associated ventilation, fumigation systems and other modifications is installed 24 in each housing unit, and the poultry producer is trained and certified for proper operation and maintenance of the modified housing features. The flooring system is a ventilated plenum system such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,535. A properly installed ventilated plenum flooring system eliminates the need for bedding materials, use of chemical poultry litter treatment (PLT) and use of high volume dilution air ventilation to maintain air quality conditions necessary to achieve the genetic growth potential of commercial meat poultry species. Removal of manure after each poultry flock is known to provide animal welfare as well as productivity benefits for poultry producers. Well managed poultry production facilities with plenum flooring systems can accomplish this on a just-in-time basis, immediately after each flock removal.

[0016] As housing facility plenum flooring, ventilation and fumigation system installations are completed, poultry hatchlings 26 are delivered each unit. The birds are grown to a pre-defined market weight (usually 3.0 to 8.5 lbs) under the care of the producer. Due to the high-quality environment of the modified housing facility, the integrator will normally implement an antibiotic free (ABF) feeding and growth regimen.

[0017] The flock grows to market weight 28. During this period, feed is provided to the birds, and the producer manages the housing facility operations.

[0018] Once the target market weight is achieved, the mature birds 30 are removed from the housing units. A waste management service provider performs housing unit cleanout, preferably on the same day as the birds are removed. More particularly, mobile equipment is used to remove all manure from the housing units. The manure is preferably transported to an offsite processing facility 32.

[0019] After manure is removed from the housing units and the flooring system is swept, inspected and serviced, the each housing unit and its flooring plenum space are fumigated with a mixture of dry air and ozone (O.sub.3) 34 to complete preparations for receiving a new flock 36. Due to its oxidation potential, ozone is effective in destroying pathogens, fungi, insects and their larvae within a brief exposure period. Since the ozone molecule is unstable and quickly decomposes into diatomic oxygen (O.sub.2), ozone fumigation enables restocking of a housing unit within minimal time after flock removal. Rapid restocking of a housing unit reduces overall flock cycle time, allowing a poultry producer to maximize housing unit annual production while also reducing mortality rates, improving animal welfare, reducing operational biosecurity risks (by eliminating flies and other insects) and lowering pathogen related risks to public safety. Using “just-in-time” management practices as described above, the flock cycle time, i.e. the time from when the birds are introduced into the housing units to when the birds reach market weight and the housing units are serviced to receive a new flock of birds, is reduced by approximately 12 or more days when compared to the typical flock cycle time with conventional manure management methods.

[0020] As noted above, the plenum flooring system is of a specialized type known in the art. It is constructed of non-corrosive and non-biodegradable materials and is designed and installed to ensure sufficient rigidity and durability to withstand repeated live loads of heavy mobile equipment commonly used for poultry house manure cleanout. The plenum flooring ventilation system is configured to operate in coordination with customary poultry house heating and ventilation systems.

[0021] The ozone fumigation method improves poultry production economics by reducing poultry flock cycle time. Managed reduction of pathogens, insects and fungi within poultry housing units reduces biological challenges to bird health, thereby lowering mortality rates and improving overall animal welfare and, ultimately, improving producer performance under an antibiotic-free feeding and growth regimen. Managed reduction of poultry housing unit pathogens, insects and fungi also reduces operational biosecurity risks and public health risks associated with the spread of pathogens through ventilation exhaust and worker contact within the community. In addition, improved poultry house productivity allows greater flexibility for capacity expansion in geographic areas with high density poultry production. These improvements enable poultry producers and other poultry meat supply chain participants to achieve higher profitability through reduced costs, increased efficiencies, improved poultry product quality and improved response to consumer demand for antibiotic free food production while also lowering operational biosecurity risks, improving animal welfare and reducing public nuisance and safety concerns.

[0022] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.