Effect of sodium bisulfate on ammonia concentration, fly population, and manure pH in a horse barn.

This research investigates how sodium bisulfate, applied to horse manure, affects ammonia concentration, the pH level of manure, and the number of flies in a horse barn. The results suggest that it is effective in reducing all three, thus making the barn a better environment for the horses.

Research Methodology

• The research was set up as a 4-week study, with two weeks of applying sodium bisulfate and two control weeks without the treatment.
• Four mixed-breed pony stallions participated in the experiment, kept in stalls 24/7 throughout the duration of the study, which did not include any stall cleaning during the test period.
• Sodium bisulfate was applied daily on top of the bedding and straw – this method was used to alter the pH of the manure. Two application rates were tested – 2.3 kg and 4.5 kg per 9.3 square meters, equivalent to 5lb or 10lb per 100 square feet.

Measurements and Findings

• At the end of each week, the researchers measured the manure’s pH, the ammonia concentration, the number of flies attracted to a fly tape, and observed the horses’ fly-evasive behavior patterns.
• The results showed that both application rates of the sodium bisulfate were successful in lowering the ammonia concentration, reducing the pH of the manure, and decreasing the number of flies in the stall environment, as compared to the control weeks with no sodium bisulfate.
• Furthermore, the evidence also pointed to fewer fly-evasive behaviors, including tail swishes, head tosses, and kicks/strikes among the horses during the periods when sodium bisulfate was regularly applied.

Conclusion of the Research

• This study concludes that sodium bisulfate, by reducing the pH of horse manure, can be an effective tool to lower both the concentration of ammonia and the fly population in horse barn environments.
• The decline in fly-evasive behavior patterns in horses also suggests that the reduction resulted in an improved quality of life for the horses by limiting the discomfort and disturbance brought about by flies.

This study has important implications for the management of horse barns, offering a potential solution to reducing fly populations and enhancing the welfare of the animals. However, further research may be needed to verify the findings and to explore potential long-term effects of sodium bisulfate use.