Enhancement of the nutritive value of bagasse using chicken manure.

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of chicken manure droppings on the nutritive value of sugar cane bagasse upon fermentation. It was hypothesized that the use of the two low cost residues (bagasse and chicken manure) in an animal feed could present a great nutritional potential to livestock farmers. Five treatments were made in duplicates, containing zero (control), 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% chicken manure. The measurements included pH changes, organic matter digestibility as well as proximate analyses of Crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Crude fiber (CF). Fat and ash content of bagasse were determined before and after fermentation for 21 days. A further investigation involved in-sacco digestibility determination. Data was obtained by insertion of nylon bags containing various rations into a fistula of rumen fistulated animal and removed at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 72 and 96 hours. The bagasse used in had a moisture content which averaged 48 %.± 3.0 with an initial pH of 6.9 ±0.15.