15 Years of Progress in Poultry
Waste Disposal
DAVID W. RUST, President
Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
Cortland, Indiana
ROSE ACRE FARMS
(100,000 bird capacity; 93,400 sq. ft.)
In the year 1955, we started with all dirt floor operations. By 1960 these were
all obsolete. These existing facilities were then remodeled and replaced with above
ground roosts.
These were 18 in. tall roost areas, which would hold the waste for 18 months
of lay. Some certain years after 10 or 12 months, due primarily to the season in
which they were started, these pits were almost filled but seemed to be no fuller at
the end of 18 months when they were cleaned.
In 1967 Rose Acres was changed to cages with conventional waste hauling to
fields in a semi dry state. Field distribution creates air pollution problems, stream
pollution problems and adds to fly problems, but is accepted by people in general,
only because it is a conventional system.
The above system is presently being used only due to custom, tradition and
habit, in conjunction with obsolete facilities.
The poultry industry is now replacing these old systems in a rapid manner with
direct in-line on-the-farm egg processing units, and hi-rise houses with dry permanent
compost waste disposal.
PENTAGON #1
(70,000 bird capacity; 92,000 sq ft)
This was built in 1960. It has 18 in. pits with wire roosts 18 in. above floor
level making a total of 36 in. in depth.
During the early'60's many people preferred the indoor lagoon. This system is
utilized at P-l, with the feeders and waterers over the pits. With these systems 90 per
cent of the waste matter is collected in the pits with the other 10 per cent collected
on the concrete litter-covered, side areas.
Due to overflow, by recommendation of the State Board of Health, Swish
waters were installed in the summer of 1969. This has solved 99 per cent of our leak
problem.
The outside lagoons have given serious odor problems during the first and
second year of operation. Since that time they have been minimal.
After 10 years the dry matter in these pits in this facility measures 29 in. in
depth. This dry matter contains a portion of sawdust and sugar cain nesting material.
The depth has remained approximately the same for the past five or more years.
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