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Performance and Health of Calves Fed Wet Caged Layer Excreta as a Protein Supplement^{1 ,2,}

University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

Abstract

Forty-eight bull calves averaging 90 kg were used in a 56-day trial to evaluate the feeding value of wet caged layer excreta from birds fed high (HPN) and low (LPN) plane of nutrition diets and to estimate the associated disease transmitting potential. The individually penned calves were randomly assigned to four isonitrogenous diets: (1) corn silage + high moisture corn + soybean meal; (2) corn silage + high moisture corn + urea; (3) corn silage + high moisture corn + HPN-excreta; (4) corn silage + high moisture corn + LPN-excreta. Samples of the four diets, HPN-excreta, LPN-excreta, calves feces as well as mesenteric lymph nodes, gall bladder and intestinal content taken from the calves after slaughter were cultured for Salmonellae. Rib-roasts were evaluated for flavor. HPN-excreta was higher (P<.05) in crude protein, ash and digestible dry matter, but lower (P<.05) in acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber than LPN-excreta. Daily dry matter intakes, average daily gains (ADG) and gains adjusted for feed intake, i.e., feed efficiency (FE) were: 4.15, 1.29, 1.24 kg; 3.85, 1.07, 1.10 kg; 3.86, 1.03, 1.05 kg; 3.93, .96, .96 kg for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. ADG and FE differences were significant for 1 over 2, 3 and 4. FE difference between 2 and 4 was also significant. Rib-roasts were equally acceptable (P>.05) and no ill effects were observed in any of the calves, even though Salmonellae were regularly isolated from the two sources of excreta, and the excreta containing diets.

¹ This investigation was supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Financial support provided by the Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship Administration to the senior author is gratefully acknowledged.

² Appreciation is expressed to Dr. Ian McMillan for statistical advice.

³ Department of Animal and Poultry Science.

⁴ Department of Veterinary, Microbiology and Immunology.