Strategies for eliminating chicken manure odour in horticultural applications

Abstract

Application of chicken manure is commonly practiced in the horticultural industry due to its value as a fertiliser, ability to improve soil properties and relatively low cost. An unpleasant odour is inherently associated with poultry manure and is considered one of the major limitations in applying chicken manure to production land. Odours originating from chicken manure result from a combination of up to 150 compounds including volatile fatty acids, mercaptans, esters, carbonyls, aldehydes, alcohols, ammonia and amines. Odours are mainly generated by decomposition of chicken faeces, feathers, spilled feed, dust and bedding materials. Issues related to odour from chicken manure are associate..