RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Bulk density, initial moisture content, and
moisture retention characteristics of the bedding
materials used in this study are presented in Table
1. Mortar sand had the highest bulk density,
the lowest initial moisture, and the lowest 24- to
48-h moisture retention values compared with all
other bedding materials (P < 0.05). In contrast,
chopped wheat straw showed the lowest bulk
density and one of the highest initial moisture
levels. Of all the bedding materials tested, DF
and CT showed the highest moisture retention
ability. Differences between trials in live performance
(i.e., BW gain, FE, and mortality) of
broiler chickens in all 3 trials were driven more
by weather than by the bedding material (data
not shown), indicating that most of these locally
available materials can be used to rear broiler
chickens, at least for 2 successive flocks.
Figure 2 illustrates litter moisture, litter caking
(trials 1 and 2), and FPD incidence in each
of the trials conducted. Incidence of FPD varied
significantly (P < 0.05) among the bedding
materials in trials 1 and 2, but not in trial 3. Because
PS is the preferred bedding source in the
United States, the incidence of FPD on PS may
be used as a benchmark to assess other bedding
materials. Incidence of FPD on PS increased
from 31 and 26.7%, respectively, in trials 1 and
2 to 54.1% in trial 3. Compared with PS, CP and
CS (trials 1 and 2) and CT (trial 2) showed a
higher incidence of FPD. Litter moisture levels
were high in trial 1, ranging from 10.5 (MS) to
39.1% (CP), but stabilized in subsequent trials.
In trials 2 and 3, incidence of FPD appeared to
parallel litter moisture levels. Mortar sand had