## 3 Results and Discussion
### Physicochemical Characterization
[27]--Table 3), can be caused by several factors, such as:  
* Low bedding turning frequency, which reduces the exposure of the material to ambient air and, consequently, its drying rate [11; 31];
* No supply or supply of insufficient ventilation rates that do not provide adequate drying rates [7; 27];
* Longtime use of bedding material used which, due to the reduction in the water retention capacity, causes an increase in M\({}_{\text{B}}\)[31];
* High density of housed animals which, due to the more significant load of feces and urine deposited per area, can cause an increase in M\({}_{\text{B}}\)[4]. However, it is important to emphasize that the conditions of excessive M\({}_{\text{B}}\) are usually registered in specific facility areas, such as near the feeding alley, evaporative cooling systems (when present) and/or in lots with smaller areas per animal, as reported by [PERSON] et al. [28], [PERSON] et al. [4], and [PERSON] et al. [27]. Knowing the M\({}_{\text{B}}\) spatial distribution in CBP systems, as highlighted in these last three studies, makes it possible to identify areas with management failures and adapt and/or propose localized solutions to homogenize the physicochemical bedding quality. Low M\({}_{\text{B}}\) conditions (<40%) are also undesirable, as they cause dehydration of the decomposer microorganisms, reduction in their populations and, consequently, limiting of decomposition activity [13; 14]. Of the listed studies, low M\({}_{\text{B}}\) conditions in the aerobically active layer (depth) were observed only in those conducted by [PERSON] et al. [30], [PERSON] et al. [28], [PERSON] et al. [34], and [PERSON] et al. [27]--Table 3. Notably, regions with low M\({}_{\text{B}}\) were observed in places with direct solar radiation and external dry air masses, which caused excessive bedding drying [27; 28]. Regarding the different periods of the year, M\({}_{\text{B}}\) levels are typically higher in winter due to the cooling of the bedding material in the subsurface, which reduces the rate of water evaporation [11; 14]. Therefore, keeping the moisture conditions inside CBP systems in the desired range is more challenging in this period [29; 32]. In summer, moisture values tend to be lower, as observed in studies conducted by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [32] and [PERSON] et al. [4] (Table 3), and this can be explained by the high external temperatures, which make it possible to increase the drying rate of the bedding material [12; 31]. In order to reduce bedding moisture in winter, some management strategies can be adopted by producers, as highlighted by [PERSON] et al. [11] and [PERSON] et al. [29]:  
* Carry out more bedding turning operations;
* Provide more bedding area per animal;
* Reduce the replenishment interval and/or increase the volume of dry bedding replenished;* Increase the ventilation rate through mechanical ventilation systems. The provision of adequate ventilation rates, in particular, is significant for M\({}_{\rm B}\) maintenance, as it is directly linked to the bedding drying rate, with the favoring of thermal exchanges and gas removal [11; 45; 46]. For this purpose, mechanical ventilation systems are normally used, such as fans and exhausters, which promote the movement of air masses along interesting regions [47; 48]. In addition to ventilation, the bedding material is turned over daily, which, besides promoting homogenization and increasing the drying rate, aims to ensure the oxygen supply to the microorganisms present in the aerobically active layer [30; 40; 49].