Factors Affecting Degradation of Poultry Manure by Flies

Abstract

Among several species of muscoid flies tested Musca domestica was most effective in degrading earobic manure. As manure is biodegraded, metabolic activity of contained organisms increases to a plateau, ammonia is produced, nnitrogen is lost, and pH increases. Bacteria, rather than fungi and yeasts, are primariliy responsible for these changes, but metabolism of bacteria and developing maggots interact. Fly larvae perform a conspicours role in aerating medium to favor aerobic bacteria and to hasten loss of nitrogen and moisture.