This is very effective in removing odors and dust. A second operation visited by our group was owned by Van Putten. Manure is collected on belts under the cages and usually is in the chicken house about two days. This manure is 35-40 percent moisture when it is removed and sent to a tower of belts in a chamber called a tunnel which adjoins the chicken house. Here, the manure starts on the top layer of 14 belts, then moves from end to end each time dropping to the belt below.
Air is forced over each layer of the belts.
In two days, the manure gets to the end of the process and it has been dried to 15-20 percent moisture. Next, the manure is pelletized and dried further to less than 10 percent moisture. These products are marketed across Europe, the Middle East and the producers are seeking markets in the U.S. as well. In order to grasp the challenges facing U.S. farmers who compost, one needs to understand the global nature of today's economy. Farmers overseas are not only competing with North American farmers for markets in other countries but in our own as well.