Department of Fisheries/Livestock Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, P.M.B. 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, R
Ngodigha, E.M., Department of Fisheries/Livestock Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, P.M.B. 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria; Owen, O.J., Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
The bacteriological characteristics of poultry litter as feedstuff for cattle was evaluated by subjecting it to heat treatment by deep stacking. Litter samples were assayed for pathogens before heat treatment commenced. The litter was bagged, stacked and covered with thick, black plastic cellophane in a roofed building for 21 days. The temperature of the stack was monitored with a thermometer and the readings recorded. At the end of the heat treatment, particles were removed from the litter with a mechanical sieve. Litter samples were subjected to proximate analysis, mineral composition profile, cultured in a McConkey medium and then incubated for 24 - 48 h at 37 - 42°C for various pathogens. Results showed that litter dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents were 87 and 20% respectively. Mineral composition varied from 0.10% for sodium to 4.50%, for phosphorus. The isolation temperature of pathogens in the untreated poultry litter ranged between 37°C for Salmonella sp. and Mycobacterium, 41°C for Clostridium and Escherichia coli to 42oC for Staphylococcus. No pathogen was isolated after heat treatment (40.1 - 55°C) for 21 days. Poultry litter can be used as feedstuff for cattle if processed properly to eliminate pathogens and the nutrient levels equalized. © 2009 Academic Journals.
