Litter moisture and microbial activity generate heat inside poultry houses, increasing bird heat stress and ammonia emissions. This study examines how adjusting litter depth and turning frequency can mitigate fermentation heat. Deep litter (over 15 cm) insulates and promotes anaerobic zones, raising core temperature. Shallow litter (below 5 cm) dries quickly but fails to absorb manure adequately. An optimal depth of 8–12 cm balances moisture absorption and heat dissipation.

Turning litter once daily releases trapped heat and oxygenates the top layer, slowing anaerobic fermentation. Increasing to twice daily during hot weather further reduces surface temperature by 2–3°C. Field trials on 20,000-bird houses showed that optimized depth (10 cm) plus twice-daily turning lowered litter core temperature by 4°C, reduced ammonia by 30%, and decreased pododermatitis incidence by 18%. This low-cost management strategy complements ventilation and feeding programs, improving bird welfare and litter quality without major investment.

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