Innovation Takes Flight in Poultry Research
In Alabama, chickens outnumber people by the millions, making poultry the state’s top agricultural commodity.
But the industry has its challenges, and Auburn University researchers are working on solutions that could benefit producers across the Southeast. A team is developing ways to reduce harmful gas emissions from poultry houses while improving animal welfare.
Leading the effort is biosystems engineering researcher Debolina Chakraborty.
“We aim to develop a safer and more sustainable litter amendment that does more than just control ammonia,” Chakraborty said.
According to Alabama Extension, broiler litter releases ammonia and other gases and can produce high levels of nitrous oxide. It can also carry harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, creating risks for food safety and flock health.
To tackle these problems, researchers are creating a new type of adsorbent that reduces emissions, suppresses pathogens, and lowers the risk of phosphorus runoff. The team is now developing the material and preparing for pilot trials in working poultry houses.
“Ultimately, this work supports a more sustainable future for poultry farming, benefiting the planet, the people who work in the industry and the birds themselves,” Chakraborty said.
