Chemical constituents in different particle size fractions of deep-stacked broiler litter

The distribution of chemical constituents relating to feeding value for ruminants in different particle size fractions (sieve apertures of 4.75, 2.36, 1.18, 0.6, 0.3, 0.15, 0.075 and 0 mm) using four different sources of deep-stacked broiler litter typical of northwestern Arkansas was determined. Mean particle size of dry matter varied considerably among broiler litter sources. Differences among litter sources in particle sizes at which larger and smaller size fractions each contained 50% of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber did not coincide well with mean particle size of dry matter. Only in dry matter retained on sieves with smallest apertures (i.e. less than 0.15 mm) did concentrations of chemical constituents differ considerably from concentrations in unsieved litter. However, only minimal dry matter was retained on sieves with the smallest apertures, suggesting little potential to enhance feeding value of broiler litter for ruminants by a simple separation into one small and one large fraction if constituting a similar proportion of total dry matter.