Nutritional and toxicological evaluation of three deep-stacking methods for the processing of broiler litter as a foodstuff for beef cattle

Abstract

Broiler poultry litter was deep-stacked (2-5 m high) in three ways: (1) uncovered, (2) covered with 0-1524 mm clear polyethylene and (3) surface-watered to form a 2-5 cm crust upon drying. After 30 days, each litter was used to formulate two diets containing proportionately 0-25 or 0-50 poultry litter (dry-matter basis). Urea was used as the nitrogen source in the control diet. All diets contained 100 g/kg cottonseed hulls, 20 g/kg limestone and cracked maize. Each of the seven diets was offered to 12 crossbred steers (two pens per diet; initial body weight 204 kg) for 84 days. Blood was collected and body weights measured every 28 days. After 84 days, liver biopsies were obtained from four steers per diet and an additional three steers per diet were penned individually and nutrient apparent digestibilities were determined. Steers gained 1-6 kg/day on the urea diet and 1-2, 1-3 and 1-2 kg/day on the diets containing 0-25 litter, uncovered, covered or watered, respectively. Steers consuming the 0-50 litter diets gained 1-0,0-9 and 1-0 kg/day, respectively (significant linear decrease; P < 0-01). Litter depressed (P < 0-04) apparent dry matter, organic matter and gross energy digestibilities regardless of stacking method. However, nitrogen apparent digestibility was decreased by uncovered and watered litter only. Increased proportion of litter in the diet resulted in increased serum sorbitol dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase and liver copper concentrations (P < 0-07); however, clinical copper toxicosis (haemolytic crisis) was not observed. Dietary inclusion of broiler poultry litter also increased serum phosphorus and decreased serum calcium concentrations (P < 0-07). Covering deep-stacked litter preserved nitrogen quality, but improvements over uncovered litter were not of sufficient magnitude to elicit improved animal performance in this study.

Effect of dietary molasses on the site and extent of digestion of nutrients in sheep fed broiler litter

“…This compares well with published values (calculated by difference) of 0.69-0.74 (Bhattacharya & Fontenot, 1966), 0.50 (Rankins et al, 1993) and 0.57-0.58 (Rude & Rankins, 1997). Similarly, the total tract apparent digestibility of OM ranged between 0.54 and 0.64, and compared well with reported OM digestibilities of 0.64 (Fontenot & Jurubescu, 1980), 0.44 and 0.47 (Patil et al, 1995), 0.56 and0.58 (Chaudhry et al, 1996) and 0.42-0.46 (Rossi et al, 1996).…”

“…The potential problems associated with the use of poultry manure or litter as a feedstuff have been investigated extensively. Many studies have emphasised that precautionary measures should be employed when feeding this product, which may be nutritionally unbalanced or pose a health-risk to the animal (Fontenot & Jurubescu, 1980;Fontenot, 1991;Rankins et al, 1993;Mavimbela et al, 1997;Ruffin & McCaskey, 1998).…”

Effects of Xylose and Soybean Meal Additions to Deep-Stacked Broiler Litter on Nutritive Characteristics for Ruminants

“…Nutrient composition ofbroiler litter may limit use as a livestock feedstuff. Broiler litter is relatively high (e.g., 24 to 31%) in crude protein Rankins et al, 1993;Goetsch and Patil, 19941, although most nitrogenous compounds in litter are highly soluble and degraded t o ammonia rapidly in the rumen (Goetsch and Patil, 1994). Furthermore, a low quantity of readily available carbohydrate in broiler litter may limit efficiency of nitrogen utilization.…”

Amino Acid Profile of Biodegraded Brewers Spent Grains (BSG)

“…When litter was incorporated into rations for cattle and sheep, it contributed appreciable amounts of Nitrogen. Rankins et al (1993) reported that addition of litter resulted in an overall increase in dietary Nitrogen. The results indicated that 4% urea produced maximum total N as compared to 0% and 2% level.…”