Staldren’s use in poultry farms is extensive throughout the world with Hungary and Brazil two countries that have embraced the production benefits.
In Brazil we are seeing adoption of Staldren in broiler production systems on a very large scale. LAR is the one of largest poultry processors in the world with many farms throughout the country. Footpad lesions were a significant problem in broiler birds. Footpad lesions darken the skin on the chicken feet due to the elevated ammonia levels in the manure pack as it builds up during the production cycle. Footpad lesions were also seen as a welfare issue for the birds.
Chicken feet are a significant export commodity into China for Brazil. Darkened feet are considered a blemish on the end product and need to be discarded. Culled chicken feet product was a problem LAR wanted to address. Alleviating the problem associated with footpad lesions was seen as a positive all round.
Staldren has the ability to maintain the pH of the manure pack close to neutral figures of 7. This results in the nitrogen component in the manure pack maintaining itself in the ammonium form rather than the ammonia form, which under increased pH levels gasses off into the bedding and barn air. The ammonia is what burns the chicken feet causing footpad lesions. Ammonia also reduces barn air quality for bird respiration as well as for staff spending time in the barn.
To address the issue, LAR introduced a cost sharing incentive program with their grower farms to use Staldren as their barn hygiene product and for footpad lesion control. The reduction in blemished feet was noted immediately. The increase in volume of saleable chicken feet for export to China more than offset the cost of Staldren incentive program for LAR.
We have had similar positive feedback from Canadian broiler farms addressing manure pack and footpad lesion issues. With respect to the nitrogen staying in the ammonium form, we have also received feedback from barn staff that upon cleaning the barn after the birds were removed for processing, the air quality was markedly better that previous cleanings due to the lack of ammonia release.
The clear improvements in bird health from reduced footpad lesions compliment lower bird mortality, less days to desired weight and less feed consumption to desired weight.
Staldren has gained a solid foot hold in Canadian poultry production as it has in many other parts of the world.
