Conference paper

The influence of nutrition on ammonia emission from laying hen manure

Goran Kiš ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu , Zagreb
Maja Popović ; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Danijel Špoljarić ; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Zlatko Janječić ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dalibor Bedeković orcid.org/0000-0002-7418-3968 ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Kristina Kljak ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ivica Kos ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mirta Balenović ; Hrvatski veterinarski institut, Centar za peradarstvo, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Tajana Amšel Zelenika ; Hrvatski veterinarski institut, Centar za peradarstvo, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Ammonia is a transparent, readily dissolvable alkaline gas that poses risks to both the environment and human health. Ammonia pollution can result in environmental issues, including acidification and eutrophication, which can disturb vegetative systems, limit biodiversity, and impair water quality. The main atmospheric pollutant that results from animal production is ammonia, with poultry, particularly laying hens, being the main contributors. In the context of chickens, any excess nitrogen that is not used is expelled through faeces and released into the environment as ammonia. Elevated levels of ammonia in poultry houses can lead to reduced chicken production, compromised animal health, and overall economic detriment. Feeding strategies have a crucial role in minimizing nitrogen excretion and ammonia emissions from faeces. This is essential for preserving a clean environment, ensuring animal health and well-being, and maximizing economic advantages for producers. Implementing feeding strategies that reduce excreta nitrogen content and prevent the release of ammonia into the environment can reduce ammonia emissions by up to 50%. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine feeding methods that can decrease ammonia emissions from faeces, specifically by incorporating fibre into the feed mixtures for laying hens. Our research focused on the use of industrial hemp as an alternative fibre source, aiming to minimize nitrogen excretion in faeces and subsequently reduce ammonia emissions in laying hens.

Keywords

nutrition; ammonia; laying hens; environment

Hrčak ID:

348318

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/348318

Publication date:

1.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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