Evaluation of clover and corn stalks straw as alternative litter materials to wheat straw for raising local turkey

Abstract EN

A total number of one hundred and eighty birds aged 8 weeks were randomly assigned into three equal groups to investigate the effect of using clover and corn stalks straw as alternative litter materials on growth performance, carcass characteristics, leg problems, breast blisters, airborne and litter conditions of local turkey.

Birds in the first group were raised on wheat straw litter and were considered the control (C).

While the second, and third groups (T1 and T2) were raised on clover and corn stalks straw, respectively.

All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions.

Body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, carcass weights, airborne dust particulates, litter pH and bacterial count were not different between treatments.

However, the incidence of leg problems and breast blisters were decreased with clover litter.

Otherwise, corn stalks chips decreased litter moisture percentage, caking score and ammonia concentrations inside the poultry house, which positively reflected on the health condition of the birds.

From these results and economic efficiency, it could be concluded that, using clover and corn stalks straw as economical alternative litter materials for local turkey is highly recommended.