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Departments of Poultry and Dairy Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631
ABSTRACT
Twenty-four Holstein heifers averaging 215 kg were assigned randomly to one of four treatments containing graded percents of turkey litter silage. All rations contained (dry matter basis) 10% of a concentrate supplement plus 1) 90% corn silage, 2) 15% turkey litter silage and 75% corn silage, 3) 30% turkey litter silage and 60% corn silage, and 4) 45% turkey litter silage and 45% corn silage, and were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Turkey litter and corn plant were ensiled separately in concrete silos, and all ingredients were blended prior to feeding. Heifers were weighed at 2-wk intervals during the 84-day study, and blood and ruminal fluid samples were obtained on day 76. Average daily gains (kg) were: .42, .58, .51, and .43 for the heifers receiving either 0, 15%, 30%, or 45% turkey litter silage. Average daily gains for heifers on 15% turkey litter silage were higher than for controls. Urea nitrogen of plasma was higher for animals on 30% than 45% turkey litter silage. Ruminal ammonia was higher for heifers receiving 30% turkey litter silage than for those receiving 15% or 45% turkey litter silage. Calcium of plasma was highest for the control ration while plasma phosphorus was highest for the 30% and 45% turkey litter silage. Ruminal propionate (molar %) was lower and butyrate higher for the control ration. Despite differences in plasma and ruminal metabolites, they were normal. Ash-corrected feed efficiency was similar for all treatments. These data show a potential use for turkey litter silage in dairy heifer rations.
1 Technical Contribution No. 1304. Published with the approval of the Director, South Carolina Experiment Station.
2 Department of Animal Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631.
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