Performance of fattening buffalo calves fed different levels of dried poultry manure

Abstract EN

Feeding of farm animals encounters many problems in Egypt as well as in many countries of similar conditions due to the limited availability of resources.

The main objective of the experiment was to study the effect of incorporating dried cage poultry manure (DPM) at different levels (0, 10, 25 and 40 %) into isonitrogenous rations fed to fattening buffalo calves (for 90 days) on the performance & digestibility of nutrients.

Rumen liquor characteristics (pH, NH3-N, total volatile fatty acids and bacterial counts) and blood parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin, urea & creatinine) were also studied.

Sixteen buffalo calves of average initial body weight 200 Kg were divided randomly into four groups (4 calves in each).

The first group (control) was fed on the basal ration.

The second, third and fourth groups were fed on rations in which dried poultry manure replaced 10, 25 & 40 % of the basal ration, respectively.

Results indicated that the inclusion of high levels of dried poultry manure (40 %) had significantly (P < 0.05) decreased average daily gain & feed conversion compared to the other experimental groups.

No significant differences in dry matter intake between different experimental groups were noticed.

Calves fed on the 10 & 25 % DPM had nearly the same average daily gain as the control one.

Dry matter and ether extract digestibility coefficients were not affected by DPM incorporation.

Digestibility coefficients of crude protein and crude fibre were higher in rations containing DPM compared to control one.

Blood serum total protein, albumin and creatinine were not affected significantly, while there were significant increase (P < 0.05) in globulin and urea values in the group.

Fed ration containing the higher level of DPM.

Ruminal pH was not affected by DPM addition, while there was significant differences (P < 0.05) in the total volatile fatty acids & total bacterial counts between the experimental groups.

Rumen NH3-N was increased significantly (P < 0.05) by increasing DPM levels in the rations of calves.

It seems that carcass traits were not affected by the incorporation of DPM in the ration of fattening buffalo calve except slight increase in liver weight of the high level (DPM) groups.

In general, it may be concluded that dried poultry manure can be utilized efficiently and safely in rations for fattening buffalo calves up to the level of 25 % without serious adverse effects on performance, digestibility, rumen and blood parameter and carcass traits.

This result could be a useful mean to overcome feed shortage and minimize feed costs Moreover, using DPM in animal feeds will alleviate pollution problems and considered a factor in the biosecurity of the animal production.