A Simple Approach To Recycle Broiler Litter As Animal Feed

Broiler litter (BL) is a major waste from poultry production that constitutes serious disposal and environmental pollution problems globally despite its potential as animal feed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a simple procedure for converting broiler litter into animal feed using wheat offal (WO) and cattle blood (B) as absorbent and nutrient booster, respectively. Initially, broiler litter was mixed with increasing concentrations (w/w) of blood at 1:1 or 1:2 or 1:3, and then each to WO at 1:1 or 1:2 or 1:3, making nine different ratios/blends before sun drying for 4 h. Finally, three blends (BL:B - 1:1 or 1:2 or 1:3 each mixed to WO at 1:1) were selected for nutrient evaluation based on economic considerations and capacity to dry to ≤ 10% moisture content in 4 h. The blends and feces were analyzed for proximate composition. Birds were tube-fed respective blends, feces collected after 48 h and dried for 48 h at 60oC. Dry matter, apparent and true crude protein digestibilities were determined. Soybean meal, considered as the standard protein, analyzed for dry matter, apparent and true crude protein digestibility was compared to the blends. The results showed that all the nine different blends dried to ≤ 10% moisture content in 4 h (range, 6 – 9%) and the blends with the highest WO content had the lowest (P<0.01) moisture contents. The three blends had crude protein and crude fiber ranging from about 19 – 28% and 8 - 12%, respectively. The blend with the highest blood concentration BL:B [1:3] to WO at 1:1) was superior (P<0.01) to soybean meal in dry matter, apparent and true crude protein digestibility by broiler chickens. A simple method was developed to recycle broiler litter as animal feed in combination with wheat offal and cattle blood. The resulting product showed good potential as feedstuff for broiler chickens.