CONSERVATION AND ENRICHMENT OF FORAGES BY ENSILING WITH POULTRY EXCRETA

In this study, ensiling of poultry manure with some tropical forages w as investigated as a management option for poultry wastes. Water hyaci nth (Eichhornia cassipes) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) were ensi led with caged layer excreta (CLE) to enhance the nutritional value of the resultant fodder. Levels of CLE inclusion investigated ranged fro m 0% (control) to 50% (fresh weight basis). The pH, ammonia, and lacti c and acetic acid contents of the resultant silage were determined at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after ensiling. Low dry matter losses and incr eases in protein content with CLE additions were observed. Crude prote in recoveries with 10, 30, and 50% CLE additions were 107, 126, and 99 % for grass and 113, 107, and 111% for water hyacinth silages, respect ively. In all silages, higher levels of acetic acid suggest that aceti c acid rather than lactic acid is the main preservative in tropical fo rages. The introduction of manure-based silages will result in substan tial reduction in the cost of feed and subsequently render livestock p roduction more profitable. Use of weeds especially water hyacinth coul d reduce the nuisance it poses to waterways and water bodies.