How Poultry Farmers Can Go Green and Reduce Emissions with diatomaceous earth

The Hen’s Pen
Oct 21
3 min read

Updated: Nov 19

Running a poultry farm comes with its challenges, and one of the biggest is keeping emissions in check. From heating and ventilation to managing litter and egg production, there are plenty of opportunities to make your operation more eco-friendly. The good news? With the right strategies, you can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency, and even create valuable by-products.

Natural ammonia, odour management for poultry bedding, livestock dusting with diatomaceous earth and attapulgite clay adsorbent powders. Promotes egg and bird health and hygiene — Diatomaceous earth and attapulgite clay applied to poultry litter to reduce ammonia, methane, and greenhouse gas emissions in sustainable poultry farming. ChickenKoop Refresh is your ready mix chemical-free solution

Poultry Sustainability- Making Energy Work for You

Poultry houses use a lot of energy, especially for heating, cooling, and ventilation. That’s where energy efficiency comes in. Simple upgrades like heat recovery systems, or using renewable energy such as solar panels or biogas from litter, can make a big difference. Not only does this cut your carbon footprint, it can save money on energy bills too.

Poultry Waste Management - Turning Litter Into Gold

Poultry litter—manure, spilled feed, and bedding—can be a bit of a headache if not managed properly. But it doesn’t have to be waste. Composting or anaerobic digestion can stabilize the litter, reduce emissions, and produce biofertilizer or biogas. Recycling litter also closes the nutrient loop, helping crops grow without relying on synthetic fertilizers.

Egg Production and Emissions the sustainable way

Even egg production itself has an environmental impact. Feed production, housing, and manure all contribute to the farm’s carbon footprint. Free-range systems are great for animal welfare but may use more energy, while cage systems are more energy-efficient. Either way, smart management—like proper litter handling and using adsorbent powders—can reduce the greenhouse gases associated with every egg produced.

How Adsorbent Powders (like diatomaceous earth) Help

This is where diatomaceous earth (DE) and attapulgite clay come in. These natural powders are more than just dust—they’re a smart tool for making your litter healthier and less polluting.

Moisture Control: They absorb water from litter, keeping it dry and reducing the anaerobic conditions that create methane.
Ammonia Reduction: They trap ammonia, which not only smells bad but also contributes to nitrous oxide emissions.
Better Air Quality: Less ammonia and fewer volatile compounds mean happier birds and a safer environment for farmworkers.
Improved Litter and Compost: Litter stays stable longer, and treated litter turns into better compost, ready to nourish crops or gardens.

Using DE and attapulgite clay is an easy, natural way to tackle emissions while improving farm efficiency and animal comfort.

Putting It All Together - Sustainability poultry

Sustainability in poultry farming doesn’t have to be complicated. By combining energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart waste management, and adsorbent powders, you can reduce emissions, improve litter quality, and produce eggs more sustainably.