Alkali Treatment of Swine Manure Solids for Inclusion in Sheep Diets

• Published in: Journal of Applied Animal Research Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 21 - 24
• Main Authors: Castellanos-Ruelas, A. F., Tepal-Chalé, J. A., Bores-Quintero, R. A., Chel-Guerrero, L. A., Betancur-Ancona, D. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2007
• Subjects: alkali treatments; Swine manure; tropical sheep
• ISSN: 0971-2119; 0974-1844
• DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2007.9706622

Castellanos-Ruelas, A.F., Tepal-Chalé, J.A., Bores-Quintero, R.A., Chel-Guerrero, L.A. and Betancur-Ancona, D.A. 2007. Alkali treatment of swine manure solids for inclusion in sheep diets. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 31: 21-24. In order to reduce the risk of pollution of swine manure, as well as making its profitable use as a feed for ruminants, it was treated with urea and I or a legume seed. In the first experiment in situ dry matter digestibility was estimated after addition of 30g urea or 50g raw legume seed/kg of swine manure solids (SMS) using two fermentation periods, 5 and 7 days. In the second experiment 0, 15 or 30g urea and/or soybean per kg SMS was fermented for 3 or 5 days. In the third experiment the effect of incorporating treated SMS in sheep diets on growth and body composition was evaluated. Generation of ammonia by the urea- legume system in the SMS increased its digestibility and was reflected in weight gain in the experimental animals. SMS treated with 30g urea and 15g soybean/kg SMS fermented for 5 days could be included in sheep diets up to 15% of feed dry matter with positive growth results over short growth periods.