Bushehr – A new study by the Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center shows that dried date palm leaves can serve as an effective and economical litter material for broiler farms, boosting farmers’ income by roughly 10 percent.

 

Presenting the results of the research–extension project, Dr. Abdolmahdi Kabirifard said trials demonstrated that using date palm leaves as broiler bedding improves flock survival, final live weight, and overall production index. It also significantly reduces footpad lesions and breast burns—factors that ultimately lower feed conversion ratios and feed costs compared with commonly used cardboard roll bedding.

 

He noted that most broiler farms in Iran rely on cardboard bedding, which does not meet the standards of an ideal litter. In contrast, dried date palm leaves offer the necessary absorbency, durability, and animal-welfare benefits.

 

With more than 34 million date palm trees in Iran producing about 370,000 tons of dry leaves each year, this abundant by-product represents a practical and sustainable alternative for the poultry industry, he said.

 

“Using this material not only reduces the environmental burden of disposing large volumes of pruned leaves but also provides producers with a low-cost, locally available litter option that can enhance farm performance.”