Human and Animal Health Aspects of Feeding Livestock Excreta

Abstract

The principal objective of feeding livestock wastes is the utilization of resources which have economic feed value for animals. During the past 15 years many animal feeding trials have been conducted which demonstrated the feed value of livestock wastes particularly for ruminant animals. Although animal wastes have been satisfactorily used in blended rations for animal production without apparent harmful effects to animals or humans, the practice of feeding waste is currently not sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration because wastes may contain agents hazadous to humans and animal health (Taylor et al, 1974). A listing of the more important categories of possible harmful agents in animal excreta is shown in table 1. Pathogenic Microorganisms. Poultry litter has been extensively used as a feed ingredient for ruminant animals and a number of studies pertaining to its feed use were reviewed by Bhattacharya and Taylor (1975). Some of the potential pathogens in poultry litter were identified by Alexander et al. (1968). Copyright © 1979. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1979 by American Society of Animal Science.