The Use of Ground Chicken Litter as a Source of Nitrogen for Gestating-Lactating Ewes and Fattening Steers

Abstract

Feeding trials were conducted with both gestating-lactating ewes and fattening steers in which ground chicken litter was used to replace conventional protein concentrates. In the ewe trial the group fed ground chicken litter performed as well as those fed soybean meal. Both of these feeds produced results superior to ammoniated molasses when fed as a source of supplemental nitrogen. Fattening steers fed ground chicken litter did not gain as rapidly as those fed cottonseed meal when both groups were pair-fed for equal feed intake. By increasing the total feed intake of the chicken-litter-fed steers by 15 percent the rates of gain nearly equalled those fed cottonseed meal. No digestive disturbances or excessive feed refusals were noted in either of the two feeding trials.