Reduced Ammonia Emissions in Aviary Systems with Manure Drying Tunnel

This study investigates the integration of manure drying systems (MDS) with aviary housing systems in non-caged laying hen farms to reduce ammonia and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The MDS achieves rapid, uniform dehydration of manure, reaching an average dry matter content of 82%, significantly reducing emission potential by limiting organic matter transformation and nitrogen mineralization into ammonia. This results in a 33% reduction in overall emissions—particularly during storage and land application—compared to standard aviary systems. The innovative design also improves environmental conditioning, lowering housing emission factors by 24%. The findings highlight the role of structural, engineering, and technological advancements in sustainable poultry farming. Funded by the European Union and made available via EU-FarmBook.