the influence of bedding material and collecting period

2. CLASSIFICATION OF POULTRY DROPPINGS
Poultry manure refers to pure excreta from layers in batteries and poultry litter as a
mixture of excreta and bedding material obtained largely from broiler houses, but also
from houses where pullets and layers are kept on deep litter systems (Van Ryssen,
2000). A small amount of feed spillage may be present in the material. In this
discussion both products will be referred to as poultry litter in general
Not all broiler litter is acceptable for use as a ruminant feedstuff. Only good quality
broiler litter should be fed. The litter should be low in ash (soil) and should be free of
hardw are, glass, and other foreign material. Labourers should be instructed not to
contaminate litter with light bulbs, wire, glass, tools, and screws, nails, cigarette butts
and plastics. Litter used for ruminant feed should include only waste feed, manure,
feathers and bedding (Jacob et. al., 1997). It is however possible to enhance the
quality of poultry litter by means of sterilization and composting.
Poultry litter is classified as a bulky protein supplement. The product is of an alkaline
nature with posit ive cation, -anion balance, resulting in a high buffering capacity in
the rumen of animals. The commercial value of poultry litter as a feedstuff is based
usually on its crude protein and ash content (mineral). More than 40 percent of the
crude protein in litter can be in the form of non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The nonprotein
nitrogen is mostly uric acid, which is excreted by poultry. Poultry litter is not
as palatable as other common feed sources, and cattle and sheep require a period of
time to get adjusted to the poultry litter. To make poultry litter diets more palatable in
order to increase consumption, maize or other feeds are added (Bagley & Evans,
1998). Caswell et al. (1978) estimated that broiler litter as a feed is worth two to three
times more t han its value as a fertilizer for pastures.
Act 36 of 1947 states that no product originating from animals can be sold as an
animal feed unless it has been registered as an animal feed. This requires that the
product meet certain nutritional and hygienic standards (Table 1).
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