Subject Review Article: Broiler litter as feed for ruminants - Potential and limitations under Nigerian Conditions

Abstract

In Nigeria, ruminant livestock are often underfed mostly during the dry season of the year due to high environmental temperature, poor green forage production and high cost of feed. This has resulted in the inclusion of alternative feedstuffs in animal rations. Broiler litter plays a vital role in supplying and correcting nutrient deficiencies in animal nutrition. Generally, growth rate, milk production and feed efficiency were higher in animals (sheep, goats and cattle) fed broiler litter-based diet than in animals fed control diet (without broiler litter). This paper reviews the nutritional value, health hazard, processing techniques and factors affecting the acceptability of broiler litter as feed.


(Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 1997, 30(1): 79-85)