Performance of Broiler Birds Managed on Recycled Litter Treated with Graded Levels of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum)
The study was carried out at the poultry unit of the Department of Animal Science teaching and research farm, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to determine the evaluate Performance of Broiler Birds Managed on Recycled Litter Treated with Graded Levels of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum)Two hundred and forty (240) day old Marshall Strain broiler chicks of mixed sexes were used for the study. The birds were fed a common diet during this period and were subsequently weighed and randomly assigned to four treatment groups. The treatments were replicated three times with 20 birds per pen. They were housed under a deep litter system with 15kg recycled litter per pen in a completely randomised design. Aluminium sulphate (alum) was applied to the wood shavings by mixing it with alum thoroughly using hands covered with hand gloves. The rates of alum application was as follows: T1 control (normal with no alum), T2 (5% alum), T3 (10% alum) and T4 (15%). Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined weekly. At the termination of the experiment (day 56), two birds from each pen having representative weights for the group (6 birds per Treatment) were selected for carcass characteristics. The result showed no significant (P>0.05) differences among treatment groups in the daily weight gain, daily feed intake and daily water intake. However, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in final weight, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cost/kg gain and mortality across the treatments. The result shows significantly (P<0.05) Lower pH values in all the alum treated litters groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) compared to the control group (0% alum treated litter) for weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8.The study conclude that treating recycled poultry litter with alum can increase total nitrogen and ammonium ion concentration of the litter and reduce pH, total volatile fatty acid and soluble reactive phosphorus content of the litter.
