Effect of radiation processing as an integral part of the safe recycling animal waste

Recycling animal waste as a feedstuff could have a considerable effect on r educing costs and solving some disposal problems. Although the technology o f animal waste handling, treatment and disposal is available in many cases it is not adequate to guarantee a pathogen-free end product. However, radia tion processing can make an important contribution to solve these problems. Effects of radiation processing, on crude and true protein, amino acid pro file, minerals and thiamine content of dried broiler and cow manure, at dos e levels of 5, 10 and 25 kGy have been studied. Short-term feeding tests we re carried out to determine the effect of radiation pasteurization of such animal waste on growth performance of young chicks. The results suggested t hat radiation pasteurization of dried manure has a beneficial effect on rec ycling of such waste and it permits waste to be included in animal diet wit hout nutritional problems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.