Bark Broiler Litter as a Potential Feedstuff for Ruminants

Abstract

To assess the potential use of both softwood and hardwood bark broiler litters as a feedstuff for ruminants, the nutrient composition and in vitro digestibility for both raw and ensiled bark litters were chemically evaluated and compared to softwood planer shavings broiler litter. Each bark type was either processed or used directly as it came from the rosserhead debarker. Ensiling studies showed the lactic acid content was higher for hardwood bark litters than for softwood planer shavings. Softwood bark litter contained the least amount of lactic acid after fermentation in mini-silos. In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher for hardwood bark litters than for softwood bark litters or softwood planer shavings. No difference in in vitro dry matter digestibility was observed between raw and ensiled bark litter. No differences in ash, phosphorus, ether extract, nitrogen, total energy, and acid detergent fiber content were observed among the litters tested. The pH. of ensiled hardwood bark was lower than ensiled softwood bark. Results indicate that from a nutritive standpoint, bark litters are potentially useful as a ruminant feed. Hardwood bark litter also appears to ensile better and to be more digestible and possibly more nutritious than softwood bark and softwood planer shavings litter.