The "barrel" fermentation bed hazard

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The "Barrel" Fermentation Bed Hazard

What is a "Water Bucket" Fermentation Bed?

The so-called "barrel-type" fermentation bed refers to a type of housing structure that has an irregular and poorly ventilated design. It is often characterized by its low, cramped layout, making it unsuitable for proper air circulation. This kind of setup is commonly referred to as a "water bucket" due to its poor environmental conditions. The main features of a "water bucket" fermentation bed include: 1) small, high windows (more than 1.5 meters above the ground, with an area of about 1 square meter); 2) no floor-to-ceiling windows; 3) walls made of cement or bricks, surrounding the entire pen; 4) deep underground construction; 5) poor soil permeability; 6) low-lying areas with a high water table (water appears within one meter of digging); 7) no fans installed; 8) no regular turning or maintenance of the fermentation bed. These characteristics make it difficult to maintain a healthy environment for animals.

The Hazards of the "Water Bucket" Fermentation Bed

The "barrel-type" fermentation bed is typically located in low-lying, underground areas, which makes it prone to issues like mud beds, gas accumulation, and poor air quality. The window design and overall structure are not well thought out, leading to low oxygen levels and high concentrations of harmful gases. As a result, it functions more like an "exhaust collector." In winter, when these pig houses are sealed off for insulation, the lack of ventilation can lead to dangerous levels of toxic gases. This not only harms the health of livestock but also weakens their immunity, reduces productivity, and poses risks to human health, especially for those who work closely with the animals. Moreover, the release of these gases into the atmosphere may contribute to acid rain and other forms of environmental pollution.

Among all sources of livestock waste, animal urine is the most abundant and harmful. It contains over 200 types of organic odorous substances, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, alcohols, and methane. The two most harmful gases in livestock houses are carbon dioxide and ammonia. Other dangerous substances include hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and various malodorous compounds. These gases can cause serious harm to the animals living in such environments, affecting their eyes, respiratory system, immune function, growth performance, and even leading to poisoning or death.

1. Eye Damage: Ammonia is a colorless, irritating gas that can irritate the mucous membranes of animals, causing congestion and swelling of the throat. Hydrogen sulfide is particularly damaging to the eyes and respiratory tract, potentially leading to conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers.

2. Respiratory Issues: Exposure to 4% carbon dioxide can cause unconsciousness in pigs, while ammonia can lead to coughing, bronchitis, and even pulmonary edema. Hydrogen sulfide can cause bronchitis, toxic pneumonia, and severe respiratory distress.

3. Weakened Immune System: High levels of carbon dioxide can lead to chronic hypoxia, resulting in apathy, loss of appetite, reduced productivity, and increased susceptibility to diseases. At ammonia concentrations of 10–15 μl/l, an animal's resistance drops significantly. At 100–150 μl/l, growth efficiency decreases by up to 30%.

4. Impaired Growth Performance: Even low levels of ammonia can reduce feed intake and weight gain. For example, at 50 ppm, the weight gain rate of pigs can decrease by 12%. A hydrogen sulfide concentration of 0.002% can affect appetite and overall health.

5. Poisoning Risks: High concentrations of ammonia can damage tissues and cause necrosis, along with central nervous system paralysis, liver disease, and heart damage. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous as it affects the blood and nervous system.

6. Risk of Death: Long-term exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide can lead to autonomic dysfunction, multiple neuritis, weakness, weight loss, and a weakened immune system. In extreme cases, high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can paralyze the respiratory center and cause suffocation.

How to Improve the "Water Bucket" Fermentation Bed

The "barrel-type" fermentation bed not only leads to poor conditions in the bedding but also negatively impacts animal health and growth, resulting in significant economic losses. Even if the fermentation bed is not used, it is essential to provide animals with a suitable living environment. The "four-window complete" design and proper ventilation standards for the Jinbao fermentation bed are technical solutions aimed at solving these issues. Based on the characteristics of the "water bucket" fermentation bed, the following improvements have been proposed to ensure the health of the animals and maximize both economic and environmental benefits:

1. Window Modification: Normal windows should be around 1 meter above the ground, with an area of 1.2 to 1.5 square meters. Ground-level windows should be provided in every 20 square meters of space, with larger windows recommended for better airflow. The ideal height for the fermentation bed in a goldfish-style setup is about 20 cm.

2. House Renovation: Replace cement or brick walls with iron fences to improve ventilation and allow better air circulation. Wooden fences can be used to reduce costs and prevent stagnant air buildup.

3. Proper Design Based on Local Water Levels: If the water table is high or the land is low, a ground-level design with anti-seepage measures should be used. Ditches should be dug at least 1 meter deep to facilitate drainage.

4. Enhanced Ventilation: Install electric fans or induced draft fans based on weather conditions to promote mechanical air convection and improve indoor air quality.

5. Regular Maintenance: Follow guidelines such as those from Golden Baby, which recommend turning the fermentation bed according to moisture levels and shaking it once or twice a week to maintain optimal conditions.

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