THE IMPACT OF PARTIAL FEEDING OF POULTRY MANURES ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODCTIVE PERFOMANCE OF GROWING HOLSTEIN – FRIESIAN HEIFERS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using broiler manures as a cheap source of rumen degradable protein for raising Holstein Friesian heifers. In addition to study the effect of feeding chicken manures on some productive and reproductive performance of heifers. Thirty heifer calves ranging between 2–3 month of age were chosen from the dairy herd of the Arab Company for Agricultural Production and Processing (ACAPP). They were divided into two equal groups, offered concentrates and roughages from weaning until the age of 15 – 17 months. The control group was fed on the farm conventional ration, which consisted of wheat bran 32 %, groundnut cakes 10%, sorghum grains 40%, molasses15%, lime2 %, and sodium chloride 1% with 16.6% C.P. and energy 11.98 MJ/kg DM. While, the experimental group was fed on 30% poultry manures ration, which was introduced gradually within a two weeks adaptation period. The ration consisted of poultry wastes30%, groundnut hulls 7%, sorghum grains 50%, lime 2% and sodium chloride 1 % with 16.79 % C.P and ME 11.21 MJ/kg DM. Some of the productive and reproductive performance was recorded as follows: iv 1. The mean final live weight of the control group was 241.9 ± 1.28 kg and of the treatment group was 234.77 ± 1.36 kg. These means were significantly different (P < 0.01). 2. The mean daily gain for the control group was 0.78 ± 0.02 kg. While for the experimental groups was 0.76 ± 0.03 kg. Differences were not significant (P > 0.05). 3. Age and weight at puberty for the control group were 292.13 ± 7.78 day and 233.4 ± 5.4 kg while for the treatment group was 297.33 ± 7.78 day and 239.00 ± 5.40 kg. Differences were not significant (P > 0.05). 4. Age and weight at successful service for the control group was 456.60 ± 3.10 day and 343.2 ± 4.9 kg while the results for the experimental group was 454.2 ± 4.9 day and 253.00 ± 4.9 kg. Differences were not significant (P > 0.05). 5. Number of services/conception for the control group is less than the experimental group they were 1.2 ± 0.13 and 1.7 ± 0.13 respectively with a significant difference (P < 0.05). 6. Gestation length for the control group was 275.8 ± 1.3 day while for the treatment group was 277.00 ± 1.34 day. Difference was not significant (P > 0.05). 7. Age at first calving for the control and treatment groups were 730.4 ± 3.81 and 741.86 ± 3.81 day respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). v 8. Birth weights of newly born calves for the control and treatment groups were 32.8 ± 1.03kg and 31.17 ± 0.95 kg, respectively without significant difference (P > 0.05). 9. Mean milk yield for the first hundred days for the control group was 1637.27 ± 130.89 litre while for the treatment group was 1730.03 ± 107.73 litre with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Estimation of economical advantage of feeding poultry manure indicated that, the cost of growing the experimental group is less by 28% from the cost of the control group. This study ended without any harmful effects of health hazards. In conclusion, feeding poultry manure up to 30% in growing heifers dairy heifers was practical, economic and without any significant side effect on production, reproduction and health of animals.