Keys to Windrow Success, Part 1: Set Up

Our good friend and poultry farmer, Jason Jackson, takes us to ground zero with best practices for setting up windrows.
poultry house windrow set up

"Keys to Windrow Success, Part 1: Set Up" is the second video in our Poultry Biosecurity Windrow Series. Our good friend and poultry farmer, Jason Jackson, takes us to ground zero with best practices for setting up windrows. Following these guidelines will prepare you for the next step in the windrow process, and you will be well on your way to winning the fight against bad bacteria.

 

If you’ve been in commercial poultry for more than a few weeks, you’ve likely heard of or been required to windrow in your house. It can take a lot of time and energy. Maybe you know what to do and have it down to a science, but you don’t quite know WHY you do it. That’s why we’re here.

When the poultry industry went antibiotic-free, a giant mess of problems arose from seemingly every layer of your house—from the floor to the birds to even the air you breathe. All of these problems find their roots in the same place—bad bacteria overgrowth. Windrowing helps annihilate the bad bacteria. Windrowing is the first step in biosecurity of your house. Though it may seem tedious, when done consistently and correctly, annihilating bad bacteria begins the process of building a foundational firewall against all sorts of disease in your house.

Don't forget—a healthy floor is a healthy bird!

As Jason Jackson discusses in the video, the target temperature to kill bacteria is 135°. Additionally, you should aim for your windrow piles to be 4–5 ft. wide and 3 ft. tall with a moisture content level of 30–35%. By using a strategic application of temperature, proper depth and width, and correct moisture levels, your windrows will be set up for success. But, there are additional important steps for maximum bacteria annihilation. 

If you need help with your windrow, strengthening your natural defenses or simply would like to learn more, the Southland Organics team is here. Connect with me, Allen Reynolds, at 800-608-3755 or allen@southlandorganics.com. Don’t forget to subscribe because we are constantly adding great, educational content to help you keep your farm healthy!

Subscribe to the  Poultry Biosecurity YouTube Channel

 

Remember, your poultry house is a bacterial battlefield. Biosecurity is the way to win, and we are here to help you in the fight.

To find out how to beat the bad bacteria—naturally, check out Keys to Windrow Success, Part 2: Annihilate.

About the Author

Allen Reynolds

Allen Reynolds

Poultry Sales Manager

This was written by Allen Reynolds, Southland Organics’ Poultry Sales Manager. Allen spent years working on poultry farms, from installing equipment to dumping chicks. He has been helping poultry farmers overcome obstacles since 2014, focusing on poultry farm strength in the antibiotic-free environment since 2017. He has traveled thousands of miles and worked closely with hundreds of farmers during his time with Southland Organics. Allen is known by even more farmers from the YouTube channel Poultry Biosecurity, where he regularly appears in videos that educate farmers on topics like bird health and farm business.

Learn more about Allen Reynolds

Erin Flowers

Copywriter and Editor

This was edited by Erin Flowers. As a writer and editor, Erin keeps a close eye on the details. Erin thoroughly researches each topic, fact checking and source searching to give our readers helpful resources for raising chickens, homesteading, and growing lawns and gardens. Erin graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in advertising. She began working with Southland Organics in 2018.

Learn more about Erin Flowers

Erin Flowers
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