Valorization of Residue/Waste Generated in the Poultry Sector: Elaboration of Compost from Chicken Manure
During the production of poultry for the commercialization of eggs and meat and their industrialization, different types of solid and liquid waste are generated that must be treated and disposed of properly to avoid generating negative environmental impacts. One of these is the excrement generated on farms (poultry manure), approximately 80 kg and 120 kg per 1000 broiler chickens or laying hens respectively, residues rich in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals.
Poultry manure, through a biological oxidation process (composting), is converted into nutrient-rich fertilizer (compost) that helps improve the structure and reduce soil erosion, as well as regulate temperature and help store more moisture in it, thus improving soil fertility and therefore reducing the consumption of chemical fertilizers in agricultural production.
In this sense, it is intended to value this poultry waste under the circular economy model and obtain a product that can be used in the agricultural sector, with a positive environmental impact. To do this, an automated prototype (rotary aerobic bioreactor) will be built and the composting process will be evaluated, to which beneficial microorganisms (lactic and photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts and actinomycetes) will be added, which will help speed up the process and obtain a better quality final product. The input variables to be studied will be the concentration of beneficial microorganisms and the number of applications of these during composting. And the output variables that will be determined will be the final content of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, humidity. In addition, the possibility of evaluating the product obtained in the production of some crop with respect to a control is being considered.
Responsable:
Carmen Carla Quiroga Ledezma, PhD
Email: ccquiroga@upb.edu
