The effect of high broiler litter diets as survival ration on the health of sheep

Abstract

The use of broiler litter as an emergency feed during droughts and other periods of feed shortages was evaluated in terms of its effect on the health of sheep. Pure broiler litter (i.e. excreta plus wood shavings), and litter mixed with 7.5 or 15 % molasses were fed for 83 days to 2-year-old wethers. The addition of molasses to the litter caused a significant increase (p < 0.01) in feed intake and final body mass. Various parameters such as plasma enzyme activity, plasma metabolite concentrations and urine mineral and purine excretion did not differ among treatments. Histological evaluation revealed no liver or kidney pathology. Mild myocardial pathology was observed in all 3 treatment groups. This seems to be related to the presence of the ionophore-based coccidiostat, narasin, which was present in the litter at a concentration of 10 mg/kg. It is suggested that these histological lesions are of little practical significance and would not affect the health of sheep being fed the broiler litter as a survival feed.