02/02/2023
Importance of Rice husks or Rice hulls
Bedding for Hog/Chicken Deep Litter Systems
One of the most common uses of rice hulls in animal husbandry is a source of livestock bedding. Deep litter pig systems and deep litter chicken systems are common, and bring several benefits over
As a bedding material, rice hulls provide excellent drainage and can maintain a mostly dry environment compared to other materials while helping to improve the comfort and living conditions for livestock. Rice hulls can help to absorb smells and foul odors, create limited dust, and can eventually be removed and used as a soil amendment. Regular application of microbial sprays such as EM (Effective Microorganisms) and IMO (Indigenous Microorganisms) will aid in the breakdown of pathogens and nutrients in these systems.
*Disclaimer: Deep litter bedding materials to be used as soil amendments should be given additional time to compost once removed from the pen, as they can be considered ‘hot’ (high salt content) and potentially harmful to seedlings. It should also be noted that these materials can have high pH values due to high sodium content from manure and urine, good for acidic soils but detrimental if pH is already high (>7).
