POULTRY GUARD FOR

AMMONIA CONTROL

Technical Department
Bedson Africa
 WHAT IS POULTRY GUARD

• It is an absorbent clay carrier loaded

with pure concentrated sulfuric acid.
 ADVANTAGES OF POULTRY
GUARD
• It delivers consistent ammonia control.
• It does not require moisture during
application.
• It does not have to be incorporated into the
litter.
• It is virtually dust free.
• It takes up moisture much faster than other
similar products.
 HOW
POULTRY GUARD WORKS
It works by reducing litter pH and
by binding ammonia.
It react with and neutralizes the ammonia
that is released.
HOW?
Sulfuric acid Ammonia gas Ammonium sulfate
Poultry Guard + 2NH3 (NH4)2SO4 + spent clay
with H2SO4
 IMPORTANCE OF AMMONIA

• Ammonia is a colorless gas produced by

microbial decomposition of nitrogenous
compounds (protein, amino acids and
non-protein nitrogen) in the excreta.
• Birds do not utilize all the
protein/nitrogen consumed and excrete
the excess nitrogen as uric acid.
IMPORTANCE OF AMMONIA (CONT)

• Uric acid is converted into ammonia by

the enzyme urease produced by
microorganisms.
• Urease converts the nitrogen into
ammonia.
• Moisture, temperature, and pH of the
litter also play an important role in the
conversion of nitrogen into ammonia.
 DANGERS OF AMMONIA

• Without adequate ventilation it is

possible for ammonia levels to climb as
high as 40-70 ppm in the ambient air.
• At theses levels, it can actually reduce
growth performance by impairing the
normal respiratory function of the
young chick.
 DANGERS OF AMMONIA (CONT)

• As ammonia concentrations exceed

50 ppm, there is the risk of causing
blindness with chicks, caused by the
inflammation of the cornea and
conjunctiva.
• A big problem is the decreased health
status of the bird and therefore reduced
immune response.
 DANGERS OF AMMONIA (CONT)

• If too much fresh (cold) air is required

to keep ammonia levels down, energy
costs to heat the fresh air can become
expensive.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU USE
POULTRY GUARD
• Reduction of litter pH is important
because it reduces bacterial activity.
• Even good bacteria can be a problem
because they generate ammonia.
• Most bacteria cannot grow well under
acidic conditions.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU USE
POULTRY GUARD (CONT)

• Because PG already contains pure sulfuric

acid in the liquid state, the beneficial action
(ammonia knock down) begins immediately.
• Furthermore, subsequent vigorous moisture
absorption by Poultry Guard causes liquid
volume expansion that forces sulfuric acid
from the clay into the litter environment
where it acts to lower litter pH and further
reduce ammonia.
BENEFITS OF POULTRY GUARD
• Increased body weight at 21 days 34 g
• Reduction of ammonia levels for up to 30
days
• Improves adjusted FCR and breast blister
scores.
• Eliminates Salmonella when used as a
disinfectant during house clean-out. Applied
on the floor of the house (not on the litter)
has been shown to eliminate Salmonella.
BENEFITS OF POULTRY GUARD
(CONT)

• It is applied on layer litter. Will knock down

initial ammonia levels directly upon
application, and it lower the litter pH to slow
the production of ammonia -causing
organisms. Ammonia levels will remain low
for 7-10 days or longer. It can be re-applied.
• It helps to reduce litter beetle counts
 COST OF POULTRY GUARD

• Use 0.250g/m2

• Cost: R1.12/m2

• Cost for 1,500m2 house = R1,687.50

 SUMMARY
WHEN YOU USE POULTRY GUARD YOU
CAN EXPERIENCE:
1. Better performance (less mortality,
better FCR, better quality)
2. Less secondary infections
3. Less use of antibiotics
4. Better immune response
5. Energy saving
6. Cost effectiveness