Laying Hen Excreta as a Ruminant Feedstuff I. Influence of Practical Extremes in Diet, Waste Management Procedure and Stage of Production on Composition

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Abstract
The effects of hen diet, stage of production and manure management on the composition of laying hen waste were tested. Four-hundred Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens were grouped by 10 and each were assigned to treatments of high (HPN) or low plane of nutrition (LPN) diets. Excreta from half of the groups on each diet was removed at 3-day intervals, while the excreta from the remaining groups were allowed to accrue during the 252-day experiment. Nutrient profiles of waste from all groups were determined at four intervals in the production cycle. At all times tested concentrations of nitrogen and ash were higher (P<.05) while gross energy, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were lower (P<.05) in the fresh manure originating from the HPN-as compared to the LPN diet. Composting reduced (P<.05) moisture, nitrogen and organic matter and increased (P<.05) the ash content of excreta samples. Decreases in total nitrogen as composting progressed were largely attributable to losses occurring in the uric acid fraction. Stage of production did not appear to be a major factor contributing to compositional changes in hen excreta. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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