Evaluation of Poultry Manure as a Feed Ingredient

Abstract

SummaryDehydrated poultry manure contains about 10% true protein, which may contribute significant amounts of essential amino acids and a significant level of phosphorus in formulated feeds. The calcium content may vary within rather wide limits. The sodium content of this proposed ingredient should be taken into account in formulating feeds. The dehydrated poultry manure and poultry litter also contain significant quantities of trace minerals. This is considered to be of little consequence since feed formulators add enough trace minerals to meet the requirements of the class of poultry for which the feed is formulated. Drug residues in poultry battery manure would probably be of little consequence since laying hen rations contain little, if any, drug additions. In contrast, poultry house litter may contain significant quantities of organic arsenicals. The copper content of poultry house litter should be determined when this proposed feed ingredient is to be used in feed formulations. Broiler feed formulators often include 1 to 2 pounds copper sulfate/ton which could lead to toxic levels of copper in ruminant feeds.From the results of the chick studies which have been published, it may be concluded that, first, dehydrated poultry manure is deficient in metabolizable energy and if it is used in poultry feed formulation, the metabolizable energy value of the diet must be compensated by adding fat. Secondly, the chick can apparently utilize non-essential amino acids which are found in the true protein portion of dehydrated poultry manure. Thirdly, the nitrogen present in the uric acid in the poultry manure is not utilized by the chick and may even be toxic.Dehydrated poultry manure can be used in rations for laying hens at levels up to 25 % of the total diet without affecting egg production. Dehydrated poultry manure is a low energy, low-protein material and has an apparent utilization of 30–35% when used in laying hen diets. Recycling poultry manure in laying hen diets from a specified flock will not dispose of more than 25% of the manure produced by laying hens fed a standard laying ration. It is necessary to consider other waste management disposal systems to handle at least 75% of the manure produced by laying hens.