Broiler litter, poultry litter, poultry manure, poultry waste (fecal)

Description:  

The litter produced while raising chickens (broiler, layer, pullets, etc.) can be used as a dietary source of CP and minerals. Since a large portion of the CP is in the form of non-protein nitrogen poultry litter is primarily fed to ruminant animals.

Caution:  

Poultry litter can support the growth of Salmonella and the production of aflatoxin, so care needs to be observed to assure that the poultry litter has been properly processed.

Source:  

Litter (droppings) collected from poultry operations.

Feeding Experiments:  

Fifty-two samples of poultry litter were evaluated bacteriologically and only eight were found to contain pathogenic organisms (E. coli 0157, Campylobacter, Salmonella) and none were found to contain Salmonella (1)(AGRIS 1999-026912)(Jeffrey, 1998). Combining broiler litter with other materials (maize, sorghum, potatoes) prior to ensiling has been shown to increase energy and protein digestibility of the resultant silages when fed to cattle (12)(AGRIS 83-913426)(Daniels, 1983). No difference in performance of young pullets and layers when sun-dried poultry waste was compared to oven-dried (7)(AGRIS 85-036713)(Coligado, 1982). Frequency of collection of broiler litter was not found to effect intake or digestion in cattle that it was fed (15)(AGRIS 1999-053662)(Wang, 1998). High ash content of poultry litter needs to be considered when using it in the formulation of diets. Aflotoxin content was reduced in poultry litter when it was deep stacked (18)(AGRIS 96-146816)(Jones, 1996). Poultry litter was found to be a viable supplemental CP source for broilers (14)(AGRIS 97-057301)(Bagley, 1996). As the level of poultry dried waste increased (10 to 30 %) in the diets of broilers there was a decrease in body weight gains and feed conversion (4)(AGRIS 88-046578)(Martin, 1985). Sows fed broiler litter had similar litter sizes, but birth weight of piglets, growth rate of piglets were reduced (16)(AGRIS 89-048736)(Nadazdin, 1985). It was found to be a satisfactory supplemental protein source for lactating dairy cattle (10)(AGRIS 82-747945)(Sitorus, 1980). Dehydrated broiler litter was fed (0, 15, 30, 40 %) to fattening beef with not negative affects of performance observed, but carcass lean increased and carcass fat declined (17(AGRIS 86-003271)(Kraszewski, 1983). Poultry litter waste was found to be a satisfactory source of supplemental protein in growing lambs (3)(AGRIS 89-120972)(Tahir, 1987). Composed cage layer waste was fed to ewes and lambs (0, 5.7 %, 11.4 %, 23.8 %, 32.7 %) and was found to be a satisfactory supplemental protein source (6)(AGRIS 93-038127)(Meneses, 1992). Broiler litter replaced 50 % of the supplemental protein provided by soybean meal with no depression in performance in goats (19)(AGRIS 96-019617)(Mavimbela, 1988). Carp were fed diets containing poultry litter (4.5 %, 9 %, 13.5 %, 18 %, 22.5 %), no affect in performance was observed at 4.5 % and 9 % levels, but gain and feed conversion was decreased at higher levels (13.5 %, 18 %, 22.5 %) (2)(AGRIS 1998-014291)(Al-Salman, 1991). Applying poultry waste to ponds increased the growth and survival of crayfish (8)(AGRIS 83-877572)(Johnson, 1982).