Poultry Excreta Research Articles

Effect of Added Processed Poultry Waste on Dairy Heifers’ Preference for Concentrates

Operant conditioning procedures were used to assess preference for a standard dairy concentrate containing either 0, 9, 23, or 34% processed poultry excreta. Eight 8-mo-old Holstein heifers were trained to operate a two-choice feeder in an operant chamber. When heifers pressed the muzzle plate that activated the feeder mechanism, they had access to one of the paired feeds for 3s every 15s on an average. Heifer responses were recorded electronically during daily 20-min sessions. All concentrates were fed in the operant chamber. Between sessions daily and on weekends and holidays heifers received alfalfa hay for ad libitum consumption. Data from the last five sessions, when response had stabilized, were analyzed. An average of 21 sessions was required to reach stability for a choice comparison test, but this was highly variable for individuals and ranged from 9 to 44 sessions. Data from each heifer were corrected for any bias for the right or left side, based on a comparison of responses with control sessions. There were no differences among heifers in the number of choices made during the five sessions or in deviations from random responses (.5). The number of responses and homogeneity of response differed among heifers. Heifers preferred concentrate containing less processed poultry waste; ranking of preference was 0>9>23>34% processed poultry excreta. Heifers usually rejected concentrate containing 34% processed poultry excreta.

Evaluation of Black-liquor treated N fortified bagomolasses silages in vitro and in vivo

Black-liquor (10·48 g NaOH per liter), an effluent from the paper industry, was used to improve the biodegradability of bagasse. Ten kilograms of molasses was added to 100 kg of fresh bagasse to obtain bagomolasses. Four silages were prepared: untreated bagomolasses (S-1); black-liquor treated (4 liters) bagomolasses, without nitrogen fortification (S-2); (S-2) fortified with urea at 1·5% DMB (S-3) or dried poultry excreta at 26% DMB (S-4). Black-liquor treatment (equivalent to 4 g NaOH per 100 g) decreased NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose contents and increased lignin. An increase of about 14 percentage units in IVDMD or IVOMD and a two-fold increase in effective in situ DM degradability due to black-liquor treatment with or without supplemental N was observed. Four isonitrogenous complete diets were blended using silages 1 to 4, maize and groundnut cake in a roughage to concentrate ratio of 40:60 on DMB. The digestibilities of the complete diets were evaluated in a metabolism trial using a 4 × 4 latin square design with Nellore rams. Black-liquor treatment of bagomolasses followed by urea or DPE fortification during ensiling increased the hemicellulose digestibility and N retention expressed as a percentage of intake or of absorbed. A 91-day trial with yearling Nellore ewes showed that black-liquor treatment of bagomolasses followed by urea or DPE fortification increased ADG. Black-liquor treatment alone did not show a beneficial effect as the level of silage was only 40% on DMB of the complete diet.

Effects of times of collection and different storage methods on the microflora and nitrogen content of poultry waste.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of times of collection and storage methods on the kinds and numbers of microflora and nitrogen content of poultry excreta (waste). Fresh waste collected in the morning had a higher mean count of viable bacteria than the evening collection in both strains of hen studied. Fresh waste samples had higher mean counts than dried ones. Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. were the predominant microflora identified in waste collected at both times from both strains. Collection time had no effect on the type of micro-organisms isolated. Bacillus spp. was least frequently isolated in fresh waste but most often in dried waste. Samples of waste collected in the morning from Babcock layers contained more nitrogen than those collected in the evening. Samples collected in the morning from Warren layers and stored under aerobic conditions had the highest nitrogen content. However, there were no significant differences in the nitrogen content of waste from Babcock layers attributable to storage method.

A Simple Spectrophotometric Method for the Direct Determination of Uric Acid in Avian Excreta

A procedure was developed for the direct quantitation of uric acid in poultry excreta. It involved the determination of the absorbance of a perchloric acid extract of excreta at 285 nm. Interference from other ultraviolet absorbing material was shown to be negligible. The correlation (r) between this procedure and a recently developed high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for uric acid content of excreta from birds fed different diets was .993 (P<.01). It was concluded that this procedure provides a simple and reliable method for the quantitation of uric acid in avian excreta.

Effects of Two Harvesting Methods and Grinding on Growth, Intake, and Digestion of Corn Stover Silage Diets by Yearling Dairy Heifers

Four total mixed diets were fed after ensiling for 45 days to four groups of seven yearling Holstein heifers for 168 days. Diet 1 (control) consisted of 84% whole corn plant and 16% dehydrated poultry excreta. Diets 2, 3, and 4 contained 60% whole corn plant, 25% corn stover, and 15% dehydrated poultry excreta. Source of stover for diet 2 was 2-yr-old baled stover and for diets 3 and 4 fresh stover harvested by rotary mower and forage harvester with a pickup head attachment immediately after removal of whole ear corn. Stover in diets 2 and 3 was also ground through a 6.35-cm tub grinder screen. Heifers were housed in a free stall shed with open side and fed individually via electronic feedgates. Average daily gains and intakes of dry matter were: .88, 8.60; .65, 7.37; .65, 9.70; and .58, 8.70 for the four diets. Four additional heifers were fed diets in a 4×4 Latin square digestion trial. Dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein digestion coefficients were: 62.5, 62.3, 47.2; 60.7, 56.3, 41.9; 61.0, 46.7, 45.9; and 63.1, 58.1, 51.0%. Grinding fresh stover prior to ensiling had no effect on intake or gain compared with the unground fresh stover. Heifers fed the 2-yr-old baled ground stover diet consumed less (2.3kg) feed per day but produced the same average daily gains as those fed the fresh ground stover diet.

A comparison of different drying techniques for energy and amino acid analyses of poultry excreta

1. Broilers were fed on wheat‐casein or wheat‐soyabean meal diets and the excreta collected after 12 and 24 h. Samples of excreta were freeze dried or dried in a force draught oven at 60 or 80 °C. 2. Drying procedure and collection time significantly influenced the determined energy and nitrogen concentrations of the excreta. 3. Drying excreta in an oven at 60 °G proved at least as effective as freeze drying for the majority of amino acids.

Fermentation characteristics and feeding value of ensiled poultry litter containing wheat straw, bagasse or sawdust

Poultry excreta substantially increased the crude protein (CP) content and the calcium and phosporus content of the base bedding materials. The crude fibre (CF) content of sawdust (52.3%) was higher than that of wheat straw (38.9%) and bagasse (30.2%). Dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD) of wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust poultry litters (PL) was 65.4, 64.5 and 48.1%, respectively. Green sorghum fodder when ensiled alone or with 20% wheat straw PL, sawdust PL or bagasse PL on fresh basis contained 4.67, 7.80, 10.00 and 7.55% CP, respectively. Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content of PL silages was lower than that of the control. Apart from wheat straw PL, all silages accumulated considerable amounts of lactic acid. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations were similar for all silages. The addition of PL caused an increase in the proportion of ammonia nitrogen. A feeding trial with crossbred adult male cattle revealed no significant difference in dry matter (DM), CP and ether extract (EE) digestibility of wheat straw and bagasse PL silages. The CF digestibility was similar for all the silages. Sawdust PL silage, however, was significantly lower ( P < 0.05) in digestibility of DM, EE and NFE compared to other PL based silages. The DCP and TDN values for the control, wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust PL silages were 2.0, 60.1; 4.3, 45.3; 6.1, 50.3 and 2.9, 41.9 kg/100 kg DM, respectively.

Microbial Contribution to Dry Matter and Amino Acid Content of Poultry Excreta

A physical separation procedure was developed for determination of the microbial contribution to dry matter and amino acid content of excreta from adult Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. The procedure included repeated mixing of excreta in saline, filtration, and low-speed and high-speed centrifugation. Excreta were separated into microbial, insoluble, and soluble fractions. Total facultative and direct microscopic counts of bacteria in the fractions indicated that 90% of the measured microbial cells were in the microbial fraction. Purity of the microbial fraction was ascertained by comparison of its amino acid composition to that of isolated microbial cells from poultry excreta. The microbial contribution to dry matter and amino acid content of poultry excreta was estimated to be 11 and 25%, respectively.The results indicate that bacteria represent a substantial proportion of amino acids in poultry excreta. Thus, measurement of amino acid digestibility with fecal collection methods may not be valid.

Apple Pomace and Urea for Gestating Ewes

Use of apple pomace (AP) supplemented with soybean meal (SBM) or a cornmeal-urea mixture (CU) for gestating ewes was studied in five trials with a total of 404 gestating ewes. Trial 1 (42 ewes) compared wet AP supplemented with SBM or CU. Ewe weight gain and lambing performance were poorer for ewes fed AP-CU than for ewes fed AP-SBM, and intakes of both diets were low. Trial 2 (40 ewes) compared dehydrated AP supplemented with SBM or CU fed to ewes bedded with straw or unbedded. Gain and lambing performance were poorer for ewes fed AP-CU than for ewes fed AP-SBM, particularly for unbedded ewes. Dehydrating AP did not improve intake; thus, gain and performance for both SBM and CU treatments were poor. Intakes were generally lower for unbedded ewes than for bedded ewes. Trial 3 (112 ewes) compared a control diet to AP diets supplemented with SBM, CU, isolated soy protein (IS), CU plus additional IS, or CU plus straw fed to ewes bedded with straw or unbedded. The lower intakes for unbedded ewes and the poorer ewe weight gains and lambing performance for ewes fed AP-CU than for ewes fed AP-SBM were repeated in this trial. Among the AP diets, intake of the AP-CU-straw diet was greatest, and this diet diminished the adverse effects of AP-CU on lambing performance. Additional IS tended to improve ewe gains and fetal growth. Trials 4 and 5 (210 ewes) compared various combinations of a control diet and supplemented AP. Data were also obtained with dehydrated poultry excreta (DPE) as the N supplement for AP and with dehydrated citrus pulp (CP) instead of AP as the major dietary ingredient. Intakes, gain, and lambing performance were normal when 50% or less of the diet dry matter was from supplemented AP; results with SBM, CU, and DPE supplements were similar. The feeding of diets containing only supplemental CP reduced intake and performance similar to results of ewes fed only supplemented AP.

True Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Dehulled Soybean Meal

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate a procedure for determining true metabolizable energy (TME) and amino acid digestibility of dehulled soybean meal (DSM). The procedure consisted of fasting birds for 24 hr, force-feeding DSM, and quantitatively collecting excreta for 48 hr. In Experiment 1, feed was withdrawn from roosters fed ad libitum, and excreta were collected for 48 hr at 6-hr intervals. Results indicated that a 24-hr pre-experimental fasting period was sufficient for complete intestinal clearance of dietary residues.In Experiments 2 and 3, roosters were force-fed 25 or 50 and 20 or 40 g of DSM, respectively, and adult male turkeys were force-fed 100, 200 or 300 g of DSM in Experiment 4. Lower estimates of dry matter digestibility and TME were obtained for 48-hr compared with those of 24-hr excreta collection periods, indicating that more than 24 hr were required for complete intestinal clearance of dietary residues. Average dry matter digestibility (%) and TME (kcal/g) of DSM for 48-hr collection periods were 45.2 ± 1.1 and 3.003 ± .054 for roosters, and 56.8 ± 2.8 and 3.292 ± .039 for turkeys, respectively. The higher values for turkeys than for roosters are believed to be due to incomplete clearance of dietary residues from the turkey. As length of acid hydrolysis of samples prior to amino acid analysis was increased from 24 to 72 hr, the apparent levels of threonine, serine, and tyrosine of DSM and excreta decreased as expected, whereas the observed levels of glycine increased. Average digestibility of amino acids in DSM was approximately 90% for both chickens and turkeys.In Experiment 5, microbial cells present in poultry excreta were harvested via differential centrifugation, and the amino acid composition was determined. In general, the amino acid composition of the microbial cells was similar to that of excreta (from endogenous sources and/or feed residues) voided by fasted birds or birds fed DSM. However, the excreta samples consistently contained higher levels of serine and proline and lower levels of alanine than the microbial cells.

Studies on the utilisation of ensiled poultry excreta as a ration for replacement stock of cross-bred dairy cattle

Four silages, of green maize (silage A) and poultry excreta + green maize (silage B) in experiment (1), poultry excreta + Johnson grass (silage C) in experiment (2), and poultry excreta + green maize (silage D) in experiment (3), were studied. In silages (C) and (D) 8% molasses was added before ensiling. The pH ranged between 4·3 and 4·6 in the different silages. In experiment (la) green maize silage was fed alone; the poultry excreta + green maize silage was fed alone in experiment (1b) and with 1 kg molasses in experiment (1c); the silages were fed with 0·5 kg wheat brain in experiment (2) and with 0·5 kg crushed maize in experiment (3). The voluntary dry matter intake was lowest in experiment (2) and highest in experiment (3). The digestibility of proximate principles, except that of crude protein, improved on supplementation with molasses (1c). Supplementation with maize resulted in increased digestibility of proximate principles except crude fibre. The digestible crude protein content increased with the incorporation of poultry excreta and was proportional to the poultry excreta content of the silages. The balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were positive. The mean daily gain was 121, 91, 151, 194 and 218 g in experiments (1a), (1b), (1c), (2) and (3) respectively. Inadequate energy intake adversely affected the body weight gain. Such silages, being deficient in energy content, warrant supplementation with higher quantities of energy-rich feeds for supporting production functions.

Effect of Dried Poultry Excreta on Growth, Intake, and Digestion of Corn Stover Silage Diets by Yearling Dairy Heifers

Four complete diets, 1) 88.4% whole corn plant and 11.6% dried poultry excreta, 2) 71.6% whole corn plant and 28.4% dried poultry excreta, 3) 61.0% whole corn plant, 27.9% corn stover, and 11.1% dried poultry excreta; and 4) 49.7% whole corn plant, 25.0% corn stover, and 25.3% dried poultry excreta, were stored for 45 days above ground in sealed .02cm plastic bag silos 2.4m wide×16.8m long. Resulting silages were fed ad libitum to four groups of 7 yearling Holstein heifers for 140 days. Heifers were housed in an open free stall shed and fed individually via electronic feed-gates. Average daily intakes of dry matter and body weight gains (kg) by the growth trial heifers were: 8.85, .81; 8.95, .73; 8.99, .72; and 9.58, .69, respectively. Four additional heifers were fed diets in a 4×4 Latin square digestion trial. Dry matter, energy, and crude protein digestibilities were: 66.1, 69.2, 56.6; 62.8, 69.1, 58.8; 61.6, 70.2, 54.2; and 61.1, 71.3, 62.4%, respectively. Whole corn plant diluted with 25% corn stover provides for gains equal to all corn silage diets, and there is no advantage to adding more than 11% dried poultry excreta or that amount required to provide for 12% crude protein in silage diets from whole corn plant or from whole corn plant + 25% corn stover for growing yearling dairy heifers.

Effect of Poultry Excreta and Ground Ear Corn on Growth, Intake, and Digestion of Corn Stover Silage Diets by Yearling Dairy Heifers

Four complete diets, 1) 67.5% corn stover: 20.2% ground ear corn: 12.3% fresh poultry excreta (dry matter), 2) 52.7% corn stover:38% ear corn:9.3% poultry excreta, 3) 90% whole corn plant: 10% poultry excreta, and 4) 95.2% whole corn plant:4.8% soybean meal, were stored for 45 days above ground in sealed .02-cm plastic bag silos 2.4m wide×16.8m long. Resulting silages were fed to meet National Research Council recommendations of dry matter intake for .70-kg average daily gain to four groups of seven yearling Holstein heifers for 180 days. Heifers were housed in an open free-stall shed and fed individually via electronic feedgates. Four additional heifers were fed the same diets simultaneously in a 4×4 Latin square digestion trial. Dry matter intakes and average daily gains by the growth trial heifers fed diets in order were 6.3, .40; 5.8, .51; 7.3, .45; and 7.4, .56kg. Dry matter, energy, and crude protein digestibilities for diets in order were 60.4, 61.5, and 45.7; 65.7, 66.3, and 50.8; 68.8, 68.0, and 53.9; and 66.7, 69.2, and 53.7%. While intakes of corn stover diets were lower than whole corn plant diets, average daily gains and digestibility were not different.

Colorimetric Determination of Uric Acid in Poultry Excreta and in Mixed Feeds

Uric acid was determined in samples of poultry excreta and animal feeds to which poultry excreta were added. The rapid colorimetric method used by Van Handel was adapted for this purpose. The method is simple, accurate, and gives reproducible results.

Dehydrated Poultry Excreta vs Cottonseed Meal as Nitrogen Supplements for Holstein Steers

Dehydrated Poultry Excreta vs Cottonseed Meal as Nitrogen Supplements for Holstein Steers

Organoleptic, Chemical and Bacterial Characteristics of Meat and Offals from Beef Cattle Fed Wet Poultry Excreta

Three groups of growing-finishing beef cattle were fed soybean meal, urea or acetic-propionic acid-treated wet-cage layer excreta as a protein supplement for 125 days. Rib-roasts from the cattle were evaluated for cooking loss, juiciness, flavor, tenderness and overall acceptability. Rib cuts were analyzed for moisture, fat and protein, and samples of the liver, heart, kidney, and longissimus muscle were analyzed for cadmium, lead, copper, iron, calcium and phosphorus. In addition, gall bladders and mesenteric lymph nodes obtained from the cattle at slaughter as well as layer excreta samples were cultured for salmonellae. No significant differences were found in any of the factors studied. Salmonellae were isolated from the cage layer excreta, but not from cattle tissues. Apparently, feeding organic acid-treated wet cage layer excreta to cattle would not affect the nutritive value, organoleptic quality or wholesomeness of beef.

Characteristics of slurry from fattening pigs, and comparison with slurry from laying hens

Successful utilisation of animal excreta is dependent on knowledge of the characteristics of the material. Most of the published reports are confined to analyses of samples collected over a relatively short period of time and give little information on the variability of parameters such as suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, or plant nutrient content. During studies on the biological treatment of animal wastes, samples of fresh slurry have been analysed at frequent intervals over a prolonged period. This report presents a summary of analyses of a slurry of excreta (faeces and urine) from fattening pigs, collected approximately twice per week between 1973 and 1977. Piggery slurry is then compared to the analyses of a slurry of poultry excreta, diluted to a similar solids concentration, collected weekly throughout 1973. due to the similarity of the two types of excreta it is concluded that if slurry systems of animal waste management are adopted for pigs and poultry, then methods of handling and treatment can be developed that are applicable to both types of material.

Hormonal Activity in Poultry Excreta Processed for Livestock Feed

Experiments were conducted to determine the kind and amount of endogenous hormonal activity present in various sources of poultry excreta processed for use as livestock feed. These experiments were conducted to determine: 1) the presence of both androgenic and estrogenic activity in poultry excreta; 2) the amount of activity found; and 3) the effect of processing methods, such as dehydration, upon the level of hormonal activity. Experiments in which chick comb growth was bioassayed showed that caged laying hen excreta processed by house fly larvae contained androgenic activity that ranged from 2.18 to 9.36 μg. of testosterone equivalents per gram of dried excreta. This activity was not present in fresh excreta and was not affected by drying times or temperatures up to 48 hr. at 100°C. In rat uterine growth assays, fresh, dried caged laying hen excreta contained up to 1.6 μg. of estradiol equivalents per gram of dried excreta. Holding excreta for 5 to 7 days under wither aerobic or anaerobic conditions reduced estrogenic activity, but drying temperatures up to 100° C. did not appear to affect the level of these hormones in excreta.

Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient for Poultry Excreta

ABSTRACT DATA were analyzed to determine material and con-figuration specific constants for calculating the con-vective heat transfer coefficient for poultry excreta. The convective heat transfer coefficient equation used was: where hc is the heat transfer coefficient, G is the mass velocity, Dc is a characteristic dimension, and the con-stants are a, m and n. The constants, a, m and n, were determined for use with metric and american engineering units.

Alfalfa versus Poultry Excreta as Nitrogen Supplements for Lambs

Alfalfa versus Poultry Excreta as Nitrogen Supplements for Lambs