The effect of high broiler litter diets as survival ration on the health of sheep

Abstract

The use of broiler litter as an emergency feed during droughts and other periods of feed shortages was evaluated in terms of its effect on the health of sheep. Pure broiler litter (i.e. excreta plus wood shavings), and litter mixed with 7.5 or 15 % molasses were fed for 83 days to 2-year-old wethers. The addition of molasses to the litter caused a significant increase (p < 0.01) in feed intake and final body mass. Various parameters such as plasma enzyme activity, plasma metabolite concentrations and urine mineral and purine excretion did not differ among treatments. Histological evaluation revealed no liver or kidney pathology. Mild myocardial pathology was observed in all 3 treatment groups. This seems to be related to the presence of the ionophore-based coccidiostat, narasin, which was present in the litter at a concentration of 10 mg/kg. It is suggested that these histological lesions are of little practical significance and would not affect the health of sheep being fed the broiler litter as a survival feed

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

“…The increase in voluntary DM intake observed with increasing additions of molasses to the broiler litter is in agreement with the findings of a previous study (Mavimbela et al, 1997). Silanikove et al (1987) observed a high intake of litter by beef cows and concluded that the small particle size of broiler litter resulted in fast escape from the rumen and a relatively high intake.…”

“…This results in a higher water concentration in the faeces, compared to faeces from digesta moving slowly through the colon. In a previous study (Mavimbela et al, 1997), lambs gained more weight when broiler litter plus 15% molasses was fed than at lower inclusion levels of molasses. This was suggested to be due mainly to the higher DM intake of the molasses supplemented group.…”

“…When high levels of litter are fed, molasses is often added as a source of energy that is readily available to the rumen microbes to complement the high nitrogen (N) concentration of litter (Mavimbela et al, 1997). Little information has been published on the digestion of nutrients when litter constitutes all or most of the diet.…”

“…Many farmers in southern Africa use poultry manure as a livestock feed during protracted droughts or after the destruction of forage resources by fire (Mavimbela et al, 1997). The potential problems associated with the use of poultry manure or litter as a feedstuff have been investigated extensively.…”

“…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).…”