Growth performance of Brangus steers fed graded levels of sun-dried broiler litter as a substitute for cottonseed cake

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum inclusion levels of dried broiler litter (DBL) as a substitute for cottonseed cake (CSC) in fattening diets for Brangus steers. Thirty Brangus steers were randomly allocated to five groups of six animals each. Each group was fed one of the experimental diets which had CSC substituted for DBL at levels of 0 (DBL0), 50 (DBL50), 100 (DBL100), 150 (DBL150) and 200 g/kg (DBL200). Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake and live weight gain (LWG) were measured over a period of 90 days, and the results were analysed using the MIXED procedures of SAS. Linear and quadratic effects of DBL inclusion on dry matter intake, LWG and ADG were also determined. Results showed interactions between diet and time that significantly affected ADG and LWG (p < 0.05). Both ADG and LWG decreased with increases in DBL inclusion with the depressed performance becoming more pronounced with time. Linear and non-linear decreases in LWG and ADG, respectively, were observed with increasing levels of DBL. The DBL50 diet resulted in performance that was similar to DBL50 and was 4% cheaper. Broiler litter can be used as a supplement for conventional protein sources, but at higher inclusion levels, it needs to be augmented by increased fermentable energy.

Effects of dietary replacement of broiler litter withMelia azedarachfoliage on productive performance, fatty acid composition and health-related fatty acid indices in beef fats from Nguni x Brahman steers fed sugarcane tops based diets

“…Broiler litter is one of the most extensively used and intensively investigated cheap alternative protein (15% – 35% CP) and mineral rich supplementary feedstuffs for cattle and other livestock in Southern Africa (Mavimbela and van Ryssen, 2001; Mthiyane et al ., 2001; Masaka et al ., 2015). The utilisation of broiler litter is, however, limited by the presence of human pathogens (Chen and Jiang, 2014), pesticides and drug residues (Belewu, 1997) and heavy metals (Abdel-Mohsein and Mahmoud, 2015) which might pose health hazards to livestock and human consumers.…”

Effects of dietary replacement of broiler litter withMucuna pruriens utilisforage and seed meal on performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in indigenous goats

“…Broiler litter (BL) is one of the most extensively used and intensively investigated cheap alternative protein (15% – 35% CP) and mineral rich supplementary feedstuffs for goats and other livestock in Southern Africa [31, 32, 33]. The utilisation of BL is, however, limited by the presence of human pathogens [34], pesticides and drug residues [35] and heavy metals [36] which might pose health hazards to livestock and human consumers of livestock products.…”