Ensiled Broiler Litter and Corn Forage. I. Fermentation Characteristics

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to study fermentation characteristics and microbial concentration of ensiled mixtures of different ratios of broiler litter and corn forage harvested at two stages of maturity. Corn forage harvested at each stage of maturity was ensiled with broiler litter supplying 15, 30 and 45% of the total dry matter of ensiled mixtures. Untreated forage and forage containing .5% urea, wet basis, were also ensiled. Mixtures were ensiled in small polyethylene bags containing 2 kg of initial material or in large bags containing 114 kg of initial material. Samples representing litter, initial forage, initial mixtures and silages were analyzed for various components. Plate counts for total bacteria and coliforms were conducted on the small-bag silages. All mixtures preserved well and appeared to show typical fermentation characteristics. Percent dry matter in silage was significantly increased by advancing maturity of corn forage and by each level of litter addition. Copyright © 1975. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science.