Meat lovers: on feeding CHICKEN LITTER to cows...

I'm surprised that they would actually eat it.


"Ignoramus22432" wrote in message
...
For us steak lovers here, an interesting article about how feeding
cows chicken litter (manure, bedding etc) is a valuable source of
crude protein and minerals.

YUCK!!!

To say that I am disgusted would be to say nothing.

Just one highlight:

``Cows may be wintered on a mixture of 89% litter and 20% ground corn''

``Some animals may refuse to eat an adequate amount of broiler litter
rations. Such animals should be culled or placed on another ration.''

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http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext...wqwm/ag61.html

Beef cattle producers searching for ways to lower feed costs and/or
stretch feed supplies should consider broiler litter as a possible
nutrient source for wintering, growing, and finishing rations. When
fed in nutritionally balanced rations, broiler litter is a valuable
source of crude protein and minerals for beef cattle.

I. Nutritional Characteristics of Broiler Litter
Broiler litter contains bedding material, manure, wasted feed and
feathers, and it may be accumulated from one or more flocks of
broilers. Table 1 gives estimates of the nutrient content of broiler
litter.
Table 1. Nutrient Content of Broiler Litter.


Nutrient Dry As fed
matter basis, % basis, %

Dry matter, % 100 75
Crude protein, % 20-30 15-23
TDN, % 55-60 40-45
Calcium, % 1.5-2.5 1.1 - 1.9
Phosphorus, % 1.5-2.5 1.1 - 1.9

Adding broiler litter to beef cattle rations at a level of 20% or
higher (as fed basis) generally meets the animal's needs for crude
protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Since litter composition varies
among growers, each batch of litter should be analyzed to obtain
accurate estimates of moisture, crude protein, and TDN.

II. Handling and Processing Broiler Litter
Broiler litter to be used for cattle feed should contain at least 75%
dry matter. If litter contains less than 70% dry matter, wet spots and
mold can be problems. Since litter may contain scrap metal, the
material should be run through a hammermill equipped with a magnet to
remove objects that may cause hardware disease. In addition, the
material should be screened to remove pieces of wood, glass, etc.
III. Ensiling Broiler Litter With Corn Silage
One useful method of using broiler litter for beef cattle is the
incorporation of the material into corn silage at harvest time. When
litter is added at a level of 30% of the total silage dry matter,
several advantages are realized. First, the ensiling process appears
to destroy harmful microorganisms carried in the litter. Second,
litter at this level will balance corn silage for crude protein,
calcium, and phosphorus for most classes of beef cattle. Third, a
palatable feed should be produced which will be readily consumed by
breeding, stocker, and finishing cattle.

When mixing litter with silage, the mixture should contain 30% litter
plus 70% corn silage on a dry matter basis. Table 2 indicates the
amount of litter required per ton of corn silage (fresh basis) when
silage contains various levels of dry matter, assuming that litter is
75% dry matter.

Table 2. Broiler Litter Required Per Ton of Fresh Corn Silage at
Various Silaqe Dry Matter Levels.

Silage dry Fresh corn Fresh litter
matter, % silage, lb. required, lb.

30 2000 340
35 2000 400
40 2000 460
At ensiling, the litter should be thoroughly mixed with the fresh
silage. A practical method of combining these materials would involve
spreading litter over the top of a load of silage. Then during
unloading the litter and silage should mix adequately. In all cases,
it is important to chop corn finely, pack the silage mass well, and
fill the silo as quickly as possible to obtain optimum fermentation
conditions.
IV. Feeding Recommendations for Litter Treated Corn Silage
Corn silage treated with broiler litter at 30% of the dry matter
should provide adequate crude protein, calcium, and phosphorous for
most beef cattle. A free choice supplement containing 300,000 IU of
Vitamin A per pound of plain slat should be provided with the rations
suggested below for several classes of beef cattle.

A. Dry, pregnant cows: Feed 35 to 40 lbs. of the litter-silage mixture
per day.

B. Lactating beef cows:
Average milking ability (beef type): Feed 45 to 50 lbs. of litter
treated silage per day.

Superior milking ability (dairy x beef): Feed 50 to 60 lbs. of litter
treated silage per day. If cows do not consume this level of feed, 2
to 5 lbs. of corn may be fed with 45 to 50 lbs. of litter treated
silage per day.

C. Stocker calves: Full feed of the litter treated corn silage.

V. Stacked Broiler Litter
Broiler litter may also be deep stacked. Litter should be stacked at
least six feet deep and allowed to heat for at least three weeks or
more. Because of the danger of spontaneous combustion, this material
should be stacked in an open shed or outside. Outside stacks need not
be covered if the damp outer layer is discarded before
feeding. Covering stacks with plastic will reduce weather damage.

Beef cow wintering rations offer the greatest potential for the use of
stacked broiler litter. Cows may be wintered on a mixture of 89%
litter and 20% ground corn (as fed basis) or other palatable
concentrate. Grain is mixed with the litter to insure adequate
consumption, since litter alone would meet the protein and energy
needs of wintering cows if they ate enough of it. A small amount of
hay or other roughage should also be fed to aid rumen function and
prevent rumen compaction.
VI. Feeding Recommendations for Stacked Broiler Litter
The salt-vitamin supplement given on page 3 should be fed free choice
with the rations suggested below for different classes of beef
cattle.

A. Dry, pregnant cows
Feed 15 to 16 lbs. of a stacked litter-corn mixture (80:20) plus 3
lbs. of hay or equivalent roughage per day.
Feed 24 to 26 lbs. of corn silage top-dressed with or mixed with 10 to
12 lbs. stacked litter.

B. Lactating cows
Average milking ability (beef type)

a. Feed 19 to 21 lbs. of the litter-corn mixture (80:20) plus 3
lbs. hay per day.
b. Feed 28 to 30 lbs. of corn silage plus 12 to 13 lbs. stacked
litter.
2. Superior milking ability (dairy x beef)
a. Feed 27 to 28 lbs. of the litter-corn mixture (80:20) plus 3
lbs. of hay per day. If intake falls below these levels, feed 5
lbs. corn plus 19 to 21 lbs. of the litter-corn mix plus 3 lbs. hay
per day.
b. Feed 35 to 42 lbs. of corn silage plus 15 to 18 lbs. of stacked
broiler litter.

C. Stocker calves - 400 to 500 lbs., gaining 1 to 1.5 lb./ day (Select
the most economical or practical option for a particular operation.)
Feed 8 to 9 lbs. of a stacked litter-corn mixture (50:50) per day plus
good quality hay free choice.
Feed 9 lbs. of the litter-corn mix plus 10 lbs. of corn silage per
day.
Feed 25 lbs. of corn silage per day, top-dressed with 5 lbs. stacked
litter.
For stocker calves to gain 1 lb. per day and pasture during summer,
feed 20 lbs. corn silage plus 4 lbs. stacked broiler litter.

VII. Finishing Rations Containing Broiler Litter
As much as 15 to 25% of the dry matter in beef cattle finishing
rations can be broiler litter. It can be fed either as litter ensiled
with corn silage or by mixing deep stacked litter with silage or other
feeds at feeding time. When fed with silage plus concentrate, such as
ground corn at 1% of body weight, 20% broiler litter in the ration on
an "as-fed" basis will provide all the protein needed to balance the
ration. For example, yearling steers weighing 700 to 800 lbs. and
gaining 2.9 lbs. per day require 1.95 lbs. of crude protein and 15.5
lbs. of TDN per day. A daily ration of 30 to 35 lbs. of corn silage, 4
to 5 lbs. of broiler litter and 8 lbs. of corn will supply all the
energy and protein needed.

VIII. Management Factors Related to Using Broiler Litter as a Feed for
Beef Cattle.
A. One of the main reasons for ensiling or deep stacking litter is to
destroy harmful microorganisms. However, if litter is stacked or
ensiled with either excess or inadequate moisture, resulting moldy
material may contain toxins and should not be fed to cattle. Therefore
aim to have about 25% moisture in litter that will be deep
stacked. Corn silage-litter mixtures should contain about 60 to 65%
moisture for optimum fermentation.

B. Past research and field experience have shown that some rations
containing poultry litter are unpalatable to cattle. Allow at least
three weeks to start cattle on rations containing litter, and
gradually increase the amount of litter in the ration up to the
desired amount. Similarly if cows are to be fed litter during
lactation, start cows on litter rations before calving to ensure that
intake is sufficient to meet nutritional requirements. Some animals
may refuse to eat an adequate amount of broiler litter rations. Such
animals should be culled or placed on another ration.

C. Rations containing litter should be supplemented with salt at 0.25%
of the ration dry matter or fed free choice.

D. As with any nutritional program, best results can be obtained if
the nutrient content of feeds is known. Since the nutrient content of
broiler litter is known to vary, it would be advisable to have samples
analyzed regularly.

i wonder if the cows know that they'd be killed if they don't eat the chicken
litter, may be that's the only reason they eat the ****...

dejablues wrote:

I'm surprised that they would actually eat it.