Achieving appropriate technology of poultry litter processing as animal feed supplement.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of heat processing method on the health and nutritive value of broiler litter, as a nitrogen supplement in ruminants feeding, where two pilot plans was studied. At the first plan (Sabzevar), water steam processing was applied to provide 70-80 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, whereas at the second plan (Semnan), heat processing was based on the boiling oil to provide 70 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes. Results showed that heat processing method, reduced total bacteria (P0.05) and completely eliminated total coliforms, pathogenic bacteria (especially Escherichia coli) and salmonella. The average DM, Ash, CP, NDF, ADF, Ca and P were respectively 92.9, 18.61, 25.50, 46.20, 14.40, 1.74 and 0.95 percent in DM, in the output from the cooking pot, where DM and NDF were increased but CP decreased (P0.05) during the heat processing of poultry litter obtained in first plan. Results obtained from Second plan showed that the DM, Ash, CP, NDF, ADF, Ca and P were 82.30, 17.80, 28.30, 49.10, 18.50, 1.86 and 0.94 percent respectively, where the DM, NDF and ADF increased (P0.05) as a result of processing. The protein fractions including A, B1, B2, B3 and C, respectively were 45.10, 11.90, 27.70, 9.70 and 6.60 percent of total CP in samples output from cooking pot in the Sabzevar plan where the fractions A and B1 were decreased but B2, B3 and C increased (P0.05) as a results of processing. The protein fractions (A, B1, B2, B3 and C) in samples output from Semnan plan, were respectively 45.05, 6.05, 28.60, 13.10 and 7.20 percent of total CP where A and B1 decreased but B2, B3 and C increased (P0.05) as a results of heat processing. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), digestible organic matter in dry matter (DOMD) and metabolisable energy were 77.10, 77.30, 62.90 percent and 9.31 MJ/kg DM, respectively in processed samples of Sabzevar plan but 77.30, 78.70, 64.35 percent and 9.53 MJ/kg DM in Semnan plan, respectively that were not significantly different between two plans. It can be concluded that heat (steam) processing of broiler litter, could be used as a perfect method where the product can be used as a protein supplement in ruminant nutrition. Key words: Broiler litter, heat processing, nutritive value, pathogenic bacteria