Academic Research Journal of Biotechnology
 

 Academic Research Journal of Biotechnology.

 ISSN: 2384-616X 

Vol. 6(1), pp. 29-42, October, 2018.

DOI: 10.14662/ARJB2018.050

Full Length Research

Evaluation of Ensiled Corncob-Poultry Dropping as Ruminant Feed Using in Vitro Gas Production Technique

*¹Binuomote, R.T., ¹Ojoawo, O. T., ²Asaolu, V. O.,  and ¹Asolo O.P.

¹Department of Animal Production and Health, LadokeAkintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Corresponding author’s E-mail: rbinuomote@lautech.edu.ng

²Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P. M. B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 October 2018

Feed availability, during the dry season has been major factor limiting the expansion of ruminant production in Nigeria. Utilization of crop residues had been suggested, although of low nutritive value. The study was carried out to evaluate the silage quality, microbial characteristics, chemical and mineral composition and the nutritive value of ensiled corncob-poultry droppings using in-vitro gas production techniques. Corncob, an agro-industrial by product and poultry dropping were used in this study. The treatment comprised of T1: (Corncob (40%), Poultry Dropping (40%), Pineapple Pulp (20%), T2: (Corncob (50%), Poultry Dropping (30%), Pineapple Pulp (20%),  T3: (Corncob (60%), Poultry Dropping (20%), Pineapple Pulp (20%),  T4: (Corncob (70%), Poultry Dropping (10%), Pineapple Pulp (20%).The silage physical characteristics, pH, temperature, microbial analysis, mineral composition, chemical composition and in-vitro gas production were determined. The colour varied from dark brown to light brown for corncob with varying poultry dropping. The aroma varied from almost pleasant to very pleasant; the pH ranged from 4.25 to 4.75. The dry matter (DM) was not significantly affected by the different combination of the silage while crude protein (CP), Crude fibre (CF), Ether extract (EE) and ash differed significantly among the treatments. However, the highest (P<0.05) CP value of 8.83% was obtained for silage T2. Mineral compositions; Sodium (Na) ranged from 0.144 – 0.210%, copper obtained was similar for all the treatments which is an indication that percentage copper composition for all the treatments were not significantly (p<0.05) different from one another. Lactic acid bacteria count which ranged from 2.30-3.02 log10 cfu/g with T2having the highest value (3.22log10cfu/g) and the lowest value 2.3log10cfu/g at T1. Total aerobic bacteria ranged from 6.90 to 5.95log10 cfu/g with T2 having the highest value (6.90 log10 cfu/g) and T1had the lowest value (5.95log10cfu/g). No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed on the values obtained for Propionic bacteria count and mould. The Enterobacteria bacteria count ranged from 1.57-2.06 log10 cfu/g with the highest obtained at T2. The cumulative gas produced ranged between 17. 67 and 20.83 ml/200mg DM. Methane (ml 200mg/DM) production ranged from 7.50 to 8.75 ml/200mg DM. The values for the ME, OMD and SCFA ranged from 5.12 to 5.36 MJ/Kg DM; 34.77 to 37.47% and 0.36 to 0.44 µmol respectively.  It was therefore concluded that ensiled corncob poultry dropping could be an effective way of enhancing the nutritive value of corncob and also resulted in improved CP and digestibility, hence its potential in ruminant nutrition.

Key words: Corncob, Poultry dropping, Silage and in-vitro gas production technique.

Cite This Article As: Binuomote, R.T., Ojoawo, O. T., Asaolu V.O., Asolo O.P. (2018). Evaluation of Ensiled Corncob-Poultry Dropping as Ruminant Feed Using in Vitro Gas Production Technique. Acad. Res. J. Biotech. 6(1): 29-42