Utilization of Diet Containing Poultry Excreta by Cattle and Buffalo Rumen Microorganisms in Vitro

Abstract

A trail was conducted to determine utilization of diet containing poultry excreta with different sources of nitrogen by cattle or buffalo rumen microorganisms in vitro. The aim was to find alternative sources of protein and low prices ruminant diets. Commercial broiler house excreta were used as 10% of a ration. Supplemented diets were basal diet with 10% poultry excreta alone or either with 3 g/kg yeast or 1.5 g urea/kg feed or both as well as 2% molasses. The basal diet comprised 40% concentrates and 60% wheat straw on dry matter (DM) basis as a control diet. All diets were inoculated with rumen fluid of cattle or buffalo. Digestibility of DM was not significantly influenced by both species and diets. However, organic matter (OM) digestion varied significantly with different diets, the highest value was obtained by yeast, urea, poultry excreta and molasses group (64.70%). Species and diets showed significant differences in neutral digested fiber (NDF) digestion. The highest values were obtained by buffalo and the yeast, urea, poultry excreta and molasses group (65.09%). Ammonia production was significantly increased by adding urea to the diet (12.64 and 13.79). Total volatile fatty acid and acetic acid % were produced significantly higher by cattle and the group of poultry excreta only. A buffalo rumen fluid produced higher propionic acid% and less acetic: propionic percent than cattle. The total number of microorganisms influenced significantly by diet only, as yeast, urea, poultry excreta and molasses group obtained the highest number.

The Effect of Adding Thymol on Rumen Fermentations, the Digestibility of Nutrients and Bacterial Count of Arabi Lamb’s Rumen Fluid in Vitro

“…The thymol and the ratios used improved the activity of microorganisms in the rumen, with an increase in the reactions of bacterial digestion of nutrients. Table (4) showed that the addition of thymol at a rate of (300, 400 mg/kg) has led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the crude protein digestion coefficient. The reason for this can be attributed to thymol, which causes a change in the microbial activity in the rumen, reduces the degree of protein breakdown, and stimulates the escape of nitrogen from the rumen in a form that the animal can benefit from, and that is by reducing the rate of removal of the amine group in the rumen by inhibiting ammonia-producing bacteria and reducing the degree of attachment and colony formation of proteolytic bacteria in the rumen [10].…”

“…Table (4) shows that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) in the average digestion coefficient of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber. The fourth treatment (400 mg thymol) was significantly (P<0.05) superior in the average dry matter digestibility coefficient compared to the second treatment (200 mg thymol).…”

“…Therefore, rumen microbial fermentation can be diversified to improve productivity and mitigate adverse environmental effects. In the past decades, attempts have been made to improve rumen productivity by manipulating the rumen environment, by means of chemical and microbial additives and feed additives such as yeast and urea [4]. One of the techniques widely used nowadays is the application of natural products, so natural plant-derived feed supplements such as essential oils have been used [5].…”