Physical characteristics of Erianthus arundinaceus as a bedding material for broiler

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the physical characteristics of the biomass crop Erianthus arundinaceus as a bedding material for broiler and to compare it with existing bedding materials. Three physical characteristics were evaluated: the water absorbability, the water-holding capacity, and the cushioning property. E. arundinaceus, shredded to five different particle sizes, was compared with sawdust, which is a typical bedding material used worldwide, and three alternatives: recycled paper, rice husks, and bagasse. E. arundinaceus absorbed water 5.0 to 10.2 times its weight, and water absorbability increased with decreasing particle size. E. arundinaceus held water around twice its weight regardless of the particle size. The cushioning property of E. arundinaceus tended to improve with increasing particle size. For each physical property, the total average value of the E. arundinaceus samples was compared with the values of other bedding materials. The water absorbability of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than that of sawdust, recycled paper, and rice husks (p < .01). The water-holding capacity of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than those of sawdust, recycled paper, rice husks (p < .01), and bagasse (p < .05). The cushioning property of E. arundinaceus was significantly higher than those of sawdust and recycled paper (p < .01). When E. arundinaceus had an average particle size of less than 2.33 mm, it exceeded sawdust in all physical characteristics, suggesting that E. arundinaceus could replace sawdust as a favored bedding material. Our observations of surface structures revealed that the stem pith of E. arundinaceus has a spongy structure, which may contribute to its high water absorbability and water-holding capacity. Moreover, the outermost layer of the E. arundinaceus stem appears to function like a leaf spring, contributing to the high cushioning property.