Feeding w/ Biochar

[centrarchid]

I am assuming the biochar is about 98% dry matter. Base feed formulation is about 92% dry matter.

 

[Bridebeliever]

This is a very interesting article.
http://www.terra-char.com/uploads/2/3/7/9/23790961/poultryfarming-acresusa.pdf
I've been interested in adding charcoal to their diet for a while but no one has really been posting about it...until your post!

 

[centrarchid]

Your link has conversion of feces into biochar. Another approach is mixing biochar in with feces. The feeding approach may have advantages.

 

[Bridebeliever]

The PDF covered mixing it in to compost, adding it as a bedding mix and feeding it to poultry.

 

[centrarchid]

You are correct although findings can be waited no more than mine as most personal observations especially when it comes to crap. I can also pull the Dr. part but so far science is not rigorous.

 

[centrarchid]

Images of feces produced by American Dominiques fed control (left) and biochar treated (right) diet. Differences size possibly gender related as treated birds are cockerel only while control are from females and one cockerel. Also worthy of note is recognizable chunks of fibrous plant materials. Such are not obvious in cecal feces.

Upper left pellet in treated is cecal. Such difficult to collect.

 

[centrarchid]

Doing a sniff test I can not distinguish the treatments. Sequence for sniffing makes no difference.

 

[Bridebeliever]

Do you find less moisture from the droppings?

 

[centrarchid]

Biochar treatment droppings drier to touch. Dry matter content will be addressed next.

 

[centrarchid]

Starting the quantitative collection of feces. Aluminum foil sheets were laid flat below roosts. Proper control now with all birds used being cockerel American Dominiques. All birds have crops packed full with food. Cold likely a factor in that where birds must consume more to fuel heat production. Feed intake when very cold at least doubles relative to what is required for maintenance.