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Russ Moon has been growing broilers for over 25 years. While many things have changed since he first started, his chosen litter amendment remains PLT. Hear his story on how PLT has helped him year-round and why he and other Georgia poultry growers make PLT their preferred litter amendment.

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We’ve been using PLT predominantly for last, probably 25 years. It seems to last the longest and does the best job for us. The ammonia and just the ventilation and drying those floors up at that crucial time.

I’m Russ Moon, born and raised here in Madison County. I’m the third generation broiler farmer. I’ve been raising chickens on my own since 2005.

Our litter amendments are extremely important when it comes to these baby chicks and making sure we have zero ammonia. Well, as low as possible. Air quality is so important because we don’t need any set backs or any challenges, starting off.

I would say we’ve been using PLT predominantly for last, probably 25 years. It’s 98% been the product that we’ve used. I mean, when it comes litter amendments, they’re all about the same price. I mean, even if the company was not paying for PLT on this farm, it would be applied.

Unfortunately, we’ve had to apply it just with, dermatitis and other issues. A couple years ago, we were having such a hard time, we were doing it quite regular. No doubt it helps. It’ll definitely keep it from getting worse. And, if not, improve it. So, we’ve definitely use it in mid-flock.

One reason I like using PLT, because we know what we’re putting out. And what we’re putting out is the amount we need. Anytime we lower the pH in that litter, it’s helping. It just kind of pushes that reset button. Predominately over the years we’ve always waited till the last minute, Jones-Hamilton, along with some others, they’re starting to learn we can put it out a little bit earlier. We still wait towards the end to put it out. The later I wait, the more I’m going to have it.

We predominantly whole house brood. There’s times where, you know, if I can decake during the summer, I might not, but I’m going to say 70% of the time we’ll go ahead and put it in, in the summer.  I mean, there again, you’re still going in minimum ventilation at night. Those chicks are still, huddled up on that, shavings and litter. It’s almost an insurance policy.

I don’t know exactly what the savings are, but I mean, when you you having to run your fans on minimum vents starting out at 30% with four fans, I mean, it’s you definitely, definitely burning heat. So there again, it’s worth the risk and the reward is there.