Comparison of some Litter Materials for Raising Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study assessed the physical, chemical and microbiological qualities of wood shavings, cassava sievate, cassava peel and elephant grass as litter materials for broilers. The growth performance and carcass quality attributes of broiler chickens as influenced by the type of litter material were also investigated. Two hundred and fifty-two (252) broiler chicks of the Bovans Goldline strain were reared for nine weeks on different litter materials. There was increasing moisture content percentage change from wood shaving (244%) to chopped dried grass (407%). The percentage change of ammonia increased in all the litter materials. pH results showed that only cassava sievate was acidic before and after the experiment. Microbiological analysis results revealed that all the treatments had coliform bacteria population ranging from 3.0 x 10⁴ to 6.0 x 10⁴ cfu/g. Birds raised on wood shavings exhibited the least soiled plumage. Incidence of breast blisters was more pronounced in chopped dried grass litter material (33.3%) while dried cassava sievate had the least occurrence of breast blisters (10%). Dried cassava peel ranked poorest for foot pad dermatitis (24.1%). There were no significant effects (P>0.05) of litter materials on live performance characteristics and dressing percentage. All the litter materials compared are considered suitable for rearing broilers.