Degradable litter covering for use in the brooding area of poultry houses
AssigneeKieffer Paper Mills, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Hickey, Kieran Devery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A litter covering for placement over litter used in poultry houses. The litter covering comprises a sheet of paper which is gradually degradable into litter within 28 days. The paper is treated with ferrous sulphate hepta hydrate for ammonia control and is sufficiently water absorbent to facilitate moisture control in the poultry house. The paper has an indented design for cushioning and providing good footing for young chicks. The litter covering serves both as a physical barrier between the poultry and the litter and as a barrier of masking ammonia produced from used litter.
Claims23
In a poultry house, the improvement comprising as a litter covering to extend the useful life of litter in said poultry house, and improve health and sanitation therein, one or more sheets of paper placed to form a continuous flat sheet-like barrier over any existing litter in at least the comfort zone portion of the brooding area of said brooding house so as to effect initial separation between the poultry and the litter, said litter covering being designed and constructed to gradually degrade into litter over a predetermined time period which is less than the brooding and grow out period of poultry within said brooding house.
A method for brooding poultry on litter so as to extend the useful life of said litter and beneficially affect the health and growth rate of said poultry, comprising the steps of:
- (a) laying down one or more sheets of water absorbent litter covering paper to form a continuous flat sheet-like barrier over the litter in at least the comfort zone portion of the brooding area of a poultry house so as to mask the litter from said poultry;
- and
- (b) introducing a flock of poultry into said poultry house for brooding therein.
A litter covering paper for use in a poultry house, comprising:
- a plurality of elongated strips of sheet paper designed and constructed to gradually degrade into litter over a predetermined time period which is less than the brooding period of poultry within said poultry house, said strips being arranged in lengthwise parallel fashion to form a continuous flat sheet-like barrier over any existing litter in at least the comfort zone portion of the brooding area of said poultry house, said strips being of sufficient width and thickness such that they are formed into one or more rolls that are unwound to form said barrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.