Growth performance of Brangus steers fed graded levels of sun-dried broiler litter as a substitute for cottonseed cake.

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum inclusion levels of dried broiler litter (DBL) as a substitute for cottonseed cake (CSC) in fattening diets for Brangus steers. Thirty Brangus steers were randomly allocated to five groups of six animals each. Each group was fed one of the experimental diets which had CSC substituted for DBL at levels of 0 (DBL0), 50 (DBL50), 100 (DBL100), 150 (DBL150) and 200 g/kg (DBL200). Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake and live weight gain (LWG) were measured over a period of 90 days, and the results were analysed using the MIXED procedures of SAS. Linear and quadratic effects of DBL inclusion on dry matter intake, LWG and ADG were also determined. Results showed interactions between diet and time that significantly affected ADG and LWG (p < 0.05). Both ADG and LWG decreased with increases in DBL inclusion with the depressed performance becoming more pronounced with time. Linear and non-linear decreases in LWG and ADG, respectively, were observed with increasing levels of DBL. The DBL50 diet resulted in performance that was similar to DBL50 and was 4% cheaper. Broiler litter can be used as a supplement for conventional protein sources, but at higher inclusion levels, it needs to be augmented by increased fermentable energy.