Choosing the right bedding is a critical factor in poultry production. Poor-quality bedding can increase moisture, ammonia, and health issues, which directly affects flock performance and farm profitability.
Here are the most common mistakes farmers make when selecting bedding—and how to avoid them.
1) Choosing Cheap, Low-Quality Shavings
Low-quality bedding often contains:
High dust
High moisture
Wood debris
Poor absorption
This leads to respiratory issues and higher ammonia levels.
Avoid it by:
Always choosing dry, dust-free, screened shavings from a trusted supplier.
2) Ignoring Moisture Levels
Moist bedding causes:
Mold
High ammonia
Footpad dermatitis
Increased mortality
Ideal moisture:
Below 5%
3) Using Chemically Treated Wood
Such as:
MDF
Painted wood
Treated wood boards
These release toxins dangerous to birds.
4) Bedding Containing Large Wood Pieces
Large pieces can injure birds and reduce bedding uniformity.
Solution:
Choose fine-screened shavings.
5) Not Considering House Type
Closed houses → require highly absorbent bedding
Open houses → require higher quantities
6) Incorrect Quantity Calculation
Too little bedding increases moisture; too much is unnecessary cost.
Golden rule:
1 ton covers 250–300 m²
7) Using Bedding Without Metal Separation
Small metal fragments may cause:
Equipment damage
Worker injuries
Contamination risks
