Quality of different bedding materials and their influence on the compostability of horse manure

• Published in: Journal of equine veterinary science 2001-03, Vol.21 (3), p.125-130
• Main Authors: Airaksinen, S., Heinonen-Tanski, H., Heiskanen, M-L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0737-0806; 1542-7412
• DOI: 10.1016/S0737-0806(01)70108-6

The air quality of the stable and management and composting of manure can be improved by choosing bedding material with certain desirable properties. The optimal bedding material doesn't cause hygiene problems in the stable. It absorbs ammonia, is economic in use, and decomposes quickly with manure. The objective of this trial was to compare both quality of different bedding materials and their influence on the composting process of horse manure. Bedding materials used in the study were wood chips, straw, peat, hemp, linen, sawdust, shredded newspaper and the mixtures, peat/wood chips, peat/sawdust, and peat/straw. Peat and peat mixtures had the best quality of ammonia absorption, water holding, and manure fertilization value. The number of fungi and bacteria were lower in shredded newspaper and wooden materials than in straw, linen, hemp, and peat. The composting temperature became high enough for at least a partial destruction of parasites and seeds within the rubbish heaps in all boxes. Only peat manure was ready for further plant production after one month's composting period. Other bedding materials were decomposed only partially or not at all during the study.