Conservation and enrichment of forages by ensiling with poultry excreta

Abstract

Abstract In this study, ensiling of poultry manure with some tropical forages was investigated as a management option for poultry wastes. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia cassipes) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) were ensiled with caged layer excreta (CLE) to enhance the nutritional value of the resultant fodder. Levels of CLE inclusion investigated ranged from 0% (control) to 50% (fresh weight basis). The pH, ammonia, and lactic and acetic acid contents of the resultant silage were determined at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after ensiling. Low dry matter losses and increases in protein content with CLE additions were observed. Crude protein recoveries with 10, 30, and 50% CLE additions were 107, 126, and 99% for grass and 113, 107, and 111% for water hyacinth silages, respectively. In all silages, higher levels of acetic acid suggest that acetic acid rather than lactic acid is the main preservative in tropical forages. The introduction of manure‐based silages will result in substantial reduction in the cost of f...