Assessing the Feasibility of Composting Poultry Manure
 
     
     
 
Table of Content and Abstract
 
 
CONTENTS
Pages
 
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................1

Background ..............................................................................................................................1
Objectives of the Research ..........................................................................................................1
1.3 Terms of Reference ...............................................................................................................2
1.4 Limitations of The Research ...................................................................................................4
1.5 Scope of the Report ..............................................................................................................4

Chapter 2 OPTIONS FOR POULTRY WASTE COMPOSTING ............................................5

2.1 What is Composting? ............................................................................................................5
2.2 Why Composting Poultry Manure? ........................................................................................5
2.3 Use of Compost ....................................................................................................................6
2.4 Classification of Compost ......................................................................................................6
2.5 Role of Compost ...................................................................................................................6
2.6 Alternative Options for Composting Poultry Waste Composting in Bangladesh ........................7
2.6.1 Windrow Methods with Passive Aeration (Snder Shed) ......................................................7
2.6.2 Box Methods of Composting (Under Cover) ......................................................................8
2.7 Factors Affecting Composting Process .................................................................................10
2.7.1 Sorting ..............................................................................................................................10
2.7.2 Piling .................................................................................................................................10
2.7.3 Pile Temperature ...............................................................................................................11
2.7.4 Moisture Content ..............................................................................................................12
2.7.5 Aeration Requirements ......................................................................................................13
2.7.6 Acidity/Alkalinity [pH] .......................................................................................................13
2.7.7 Composting Maturity .........................................................................................................13
2.7.8 Screening ..........................................................................................................................14
2.7.9 Use of Effective Micro-organism (EM) ..............................................................................15

Chapter 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS ..............................................................................16

3.1 Inputs/ Materials Used for Research .....................................................................................16
3.2 Analytical Methods for Determination of Different Parameters of Compost ............................16
3.3 Chemical Composition of Raw materials ...............................................................................17
3.4 Experimental Shed ...............................................................................................................18
3.4.1 Waste Concern's Composting Site ....................................................................................18
3.4.2 Central Government Poultry Farm Site ..............................................................................19
3.5 Mass Flow ..........................................................................................................................19
3.6 Temperature ........................................................................................................................19

Chapter 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION................................................................................21

4.1 Temperature Curve of the Composting Process .....................................................................21
4.1.1 Temperature Curve of First Batch ......................................................................................21
4.1.2 Temperature Curve of Second Batch .................................................................................25
4.2 Maturity Duration .................................................................................................................29
4.3 Recovery Rate of Compost Production .................................................................................30
4.4 Moisture Content in Different Periods of Composting Process ...............................................31
4.5 Chemical Composition of Different Combination of Composting Raw Materials After Mixing. 32
4.6 pH Value of Compost Produced Through Different Methods ................................................33
4.7 Organic Matter Content Produced Through Different Methods ..............................................34
4.8 Nutrient Value of Compost Produced Through Different Methods .........................................35
4.8.1 Nitrogen Content ...............................................................................................................35
4.8.2 Phosphorus Content ..........................................................................................................36
4.8.3 Potassium Content ............................................................................................................37
4.8.4 Sulfur Content ...................................................................................................................38
4.8.5 Calcium Content ...............................................................................................................39
4.8.6 Magnesium Content ..........................................................................................................40
4.8.7 Zinc Content .....................................................................................................................41
4.9 Odor Control .......................................................................................................................41

Chapter 5 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS .......................................................................................42

5.1 Financial Analysis of a Poultry Waste Composting Plant .......................................................42
5.2 Financial Analysis of a 1-ton Capacity Poultry Waste Composting Plant ...............................42

Chapter 6 FIELD TEST OF COMPOSTS ...............................................................................45

The Effect of Compost Produced in Different Methods on Maize Production ..............................45

Chapter 7 RANKING OF BEST METHOD FOR COMPOSTING OF POULTRY WASTE .49

7.1 Methodology for Ranking of Best Methods for Composting of Poultry Manure......................49
7.2 Results of Composting Trials of First Batch ..........................................................................50
7.3 Results of Composting Trials of Second Batch .....................................................................52
7.4 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................54

Chapter 8 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................55
8.1 Conclusions .........................................................................................................................55
Recommendations .....................................................................................................................55
REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................57

ANNEX-I Organic Matter and Nutrient Content (First Batch) ...................................................54
ANNEX-II Organic Matter and Nutrient Content (Second Batch) .............................................63
ANNEX-III Organic Matter and Nutrient Loss During Composting Process (First Batch) ..........72
ANNEX-IV Organic Matter and Nutrient Loss During Composting Process (Second Batch) .....74
ANNEX-V Photographs of Seminar on 'Prospects of Composting Poultry Manure' held on 30th March, 2003, Dhaka ................................................................................................................76
ANNEX-VI Different Steps of a Typical Composting Plant........................................................80
ABSTRACT
1. The broad objective of this study is to determine a cost-effective method for composting of poultry manure. Specific objectives of the study are:

· To determine suitable methods of composting for farmers
· To evaluate the effects of EM on the composting process
· To evaluate physical and chemical parameters of compost such as moisture, pH, organic, carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.
· To evaluate the impact of the compost on various crops
· To recommend a suitable model for composting poultry waste using public-private partnership approach.

2. To achieve the objectives of the research WCC selected two methods of composting process conducted in two batches in two seasons (1st batch: Sept. to Oct. 2002 and 2nd batch: Dec. 2002 to Mid Feb. 2003). Total 4 (four) inputs like household waste (HW), chick litter (CL); layer dropping (LD) and Rice husk (RH) have been used for the experiment.

3. Impact of effective micro- organism (EM) has been tested during the composting process to control order and reduce decomposition time of composting.

4. Data have been collected in different phases of composting process under each method to analyze different parameters of composting process in the Laboratory.

5. Field Demonstrations have been set-up to study the impact of compost (produced thought the different methods of the research) on soil and crops in Rajendrapur of Gazipur District near Dhaka.

6. To disseminate findings of the research a seminar entitled ` Prospects of Composting Poultry Manure in Bangladesh was successfully organized by PSDP (CIDA-DLS) on 30th March 2003 at NARS Conference Hall, BARC, Dhaka. This seminar was participated by officials, entrepreneurs and scientists from private sectors, public sectors, NGOs and universities. During this one-day workshop a site visit (to the experimental sites in Mirpur of Dhaka city) was organized for the participants to enable them to have a first hand experience of poultry waste composting.

7. In order to identify the best method of composting from 40 trials conducted in two seasons (20 trials in each season), a method of weighting and ranking has been adopted. 7 (seven) criteria have been identified under 4 (four) broad categories of indicators for selection of the best method of composting.

8. It is evident from the research that co-composting of poultry manure is the best option. In terms of method of composting overall box method has shown better results in the combined score as well as individually in First Batch I and Second Batch.

9. Composting of chick litter and layer droppings using box method of composting has shown acceptable results considering the product safety, quality of product and financial viability in both the batches. This combination and technique is suitable in case of poultry farms, where household waste is not available

10. Results obtain from first and second batch of composting process show that the use of EM did not influence on temperature curve during the composting process.

11. Findings of the study show that co-composting of household waste with poultry waste takes less time than composting of poultry waste alone.

12. Maturity duration for the first batch varied from 35 days to 40 days whereas for the second batch it varied from 45 days to 60 days. Highest maturity duration (60 days) was found in the combination of LD+RH in second batch of the composting process. Impact of seasonal variation on maturity duration has been found. As trials conducted during the second batch in winter season took comparatively more time than others due to unnatural extreme cold weather in Bangladesh during the composting period of the experiment.

13. Recovery rate of composting of poultry waste is higher than co-composting of household waste with poultry waste, because the poultry waste contains more solid material than household waste. Recovery rate of poultry waste varied from 52 to 63% and co-composting of household waste with poultry waste varied from 20 to 28%. Significant seasonal variation on the recovery rate of composting process was not found from the study.

14. Results obtained from laboratory shows that moisture content was optimum level in all cases of the study.

15. pH value of co-compost (household waste + poultry waste) and poultry compost is more than 8.0 except in case of CL and LD+CL. Co-compost of household waste with poultry waste has been shown higher pH value (8.4), which is the most favorable for the acidic soils of Bangladesh to neutralize the soil reaction.

16. Observation of the study shows that the use of Effective Microorganism (EM) has completely eliminated of offensive odor in both of box and windrow methods of composting process. This research showed that use EM did not show significant effect on organic matter content, maturity duration, temperature, and nutrient content in composts.

18. Organic matter content in compost produced from household waste and poultry waste varies from 34.5 % to 41.5 %, which is similar to international standard of compost (organic fertilizer). At present there are 22,570 nos. of Commercial Poultry Farms in Bangladesh (Layers: 84,10,000 and Broilers: 57,84,500).

Poultry Waste Generated from these commercial poultry farms is almost 4474 tons/day in Bangladesh. Considering 40% recovery rate (conservative estimate) of compost produced from 4474 tons of poultry manure every day 1790 tons of compost can be produced. The market value of compost produced from poultry farms will be Tk. 1630 million every year.

 
 
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