Unit mass estimation and characterization of litter generated in the broiler house and slaughter house

A study was undertaken to characterize various broiler litter and to estimate the waste mass at every detailed process. Also, the usefulness of broiler litter (from the broiler house and slaughter house) as a fertilizer, feedstuff, and a solid/gas fuel was evaluated. The conclusions from this research are as follows: The unit mass of litter from the broiler house was calculated to be 58.6 L [103heads]−1 day−1, and this waste satisfied the legal standards which are applied to fertilizer. The litter from the slaughter house was a very useful source of feed and renewable energy (e.g. solid fuel or biogas). The high calorific value of sludge cake, especially, reached more than 6500 kcal kg−1. The results of the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test of sludge cake from the slaughter house showed that the 676 ml of methane was produced (at 1 atm and 35 °C) for 1 g of VS added. This value represents 90% of its theoretical methane potential.