Nutritional quality and digestibility of sorghum-broiler litter silages

Broiler litter and sorghum forage were ensiled in the proportions of 0:100, 25:75, 35:65 and 45:55 (wet basis), respectively. Samples of initial mixtures showed the presence of total (0.01–1.20×106) and fecal (0.001–3.190×104) colony forming units (CFU). Salmonellae, Shigella and Proteus were also present. Ensiling was effective in complete elimination of all the pathogens. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ash contents were increased linearly (P<0.01) with the increase of broiler litter in the silages (35–57.5%; 6.4–14.8% and 3.2–9.0%; DM basis, respectively). Water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) for initial mixtures were 7.7%, 6.7%, 6.2% and 5.9%; DM basis, respectively. Ensiling decreased the pH and WSC for all the silages and the decrease was higher for sorghum ensiled alone than for sorghum ensiled with broiler litter. Lactic acid concentration in the silages increased linearly (P<0.01) with the increase of broiler litter. The nutritive value of the silages was evaluated in a digestion trial with 24 wethers. The apparent digestibilities of DM, OM and CP for the animals fed sorghum silage alone were, 49.6%, 51.6% and 49.7%, respectively. However, digestibilities of all the components were higher (P<0.01) for the animals fed silages containing broiler litter. Among the litter containing diets, the digestibilities of all the components showed a quadratic effect (P<0.01), increasing for silages containing 25% and 35% broiler litter and decreasing, when the level of litter increased from 35% to 45%. The results indicated that broiler litter could be used up to 35% in a ruminantʹs diet as a source of N without any adverse effect on health of the animals. Ensiling appeared to be a feasible and effective method for eliminating the pathogens present in broiler litter and improving its nutritive value.