1. Wood Vinegar (Pyroligneous Acid) in Poultry
Uses in Poultry:
Added to drinking water or feed to improve digestion. Sprayed in poultry houses to control odor and reduce microbial load.
Used as a natural antimicrobial agent in bedding.
Scientific Breakdown:
Acidic Nature (pH ~2–3): Lowers gut pH, creating an unfavorable environment for pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Organic Compounds: Contains acetic acid, methanol, and phenolics, which have antimicrobial and antioxidative properties.
Impact on Chickens:
Improves feed conversion ratio (FCR) by enhancing nutrient absorption. Supports gut health and immune response.
Reduces diarrhea and pathogenic bacterial load. Impact on Environment:
Reduces ammonia levels in poultry litter.
Lowers odor emissions, improving air quality.
Can reduce pathogen spread, supporting healthier flocks.
2. Wood Tar in Poultry
Uses in Poultry:
Applied topically to minor wounds or skin abrasions (less common in commercial poultry, more relevant in small-scale or free-range systems).
Occasionally used in bedding in small amounts for its antiseptic properties.
Scientific Breakdown:
Phenolic Compounds & Terpenes: These give wood tar antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Impact on Chickens:
Protects minor skin injuries from infection.
Helps reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal outbreaks in flock areas with small wounds.
Impact on Environment:
Creates a protective barrier on surfaces.
Helps reduce microbial load in limited areas of application.
Note: Wood tar is more limited in poultry applications compared to wood vinegar, but it is valuable for natural antiseptic purposes.
3. Biochar in Poultry
Uses in Poultry:,
Added to litter or bedding.
Mixed into feed in small percentages (as a feed additive).
Scientific Breakdown:
High Porosity & Surface Area: Absorbs moisture, ammonia, and toxins from litter. Carbon-Rich Structure: Adsorbs mycotoxins and reduces harmful gases.
Impact on Chickens:
Improves gut health when added to feed by binding toxins and supporting beneficial gut microbes.
Reduces respiratory stress by lowering ammonia and dust levels in bedding.
May improve overall growth and immunity indirectly via cleaner environment.
Impact on Environment:
Reduces ammonia emissions from litter, improving air quality.
Acts as a slow-release carbon source in litter, which can later be used as soil amendment.
Helps control odor and pathogen proliferation in poultry houses.
