MP-1773

February, 1996

Feeding Broiler Litter to Beef Cattle

G. W. Evers, L. W. Greene, J. B. Carey and D. S. Doctorian*
Broiler production in Texas has expanded at er litter to beef cattle utilizing information
an annual rate of 7 percent since 1986 with from other states and two surveys on broiler
371 million broilers produced in 1994. Broiler litter feeding in the eastern half of Texas.
litter (mixture of poultry excreta, bedding
material, wasted feed and feathers) is usually Feed Quality Broiler Litter
removed from the poultry houses on an annual Not all broiler litter is suitable for livestock
basis. Because of its high nutrient content, feed. It is estimated that only about 35 percent
poultry litter is usually applied to agricultural of the broiler litter produced in Alabama is of
land as fertilizer with an economic value of $20 sufficient quality to be fed to cattle (Ruffin and
to $30/ton. Broiler litter has a higher value as McCaskey, 1993). The composition of broiler
a feed for beef cattle. Cattle are ruminants and litter is quite variable due to the amount of soil
can digest material high in cellulose, hemicellu- contamination, type of litter, number of batch-
lose and fiber. Byproducts of many grain and es of birds reared on the litter, and poultry
food processing industries (i.e. citrus pulp, house management (McCaskey, 1995). The
sugar beet pulp, brewers grain, corn gluten, nutrient and mineral variability of broiler litter
fish meal, cotton hulls, and rice bran) are fed fed in Texas during the 1993-94 winter is
to cattle. In the 1960s researchers in Virginia reported in Table 1 along with the recom-
brought attention to the economics of feeding mended range and maximum levels for beef
broiler litter to beef cattle. Feed quality litter is cattle diets.
high in protein and minerals but low in energy
relative to grain or high quality forage. If used Feed quality litter should be at least 19 per-
as a protein and mineral supplement in a feed cent crude protein (3 percent N), less than 28
ration, feed quality broiler litter has a value of percent ash and 25 percent moisture, and free
about $100/ton; soybean and cottonseed meal of rocks and hardware such as nails and wire.
are valued at $200/ton. When fed at a 1:1 ratio Average protein percentage was 21.5 with a
with corn to 550-
pound heifers,
broiler litter
has a value of
$106/ton
(McCaskey et
al., 1994).
Following is
a discus-
sion of the
advantages
and disad-
vantages of
feeding broil-

*Respectively, forage physiologist, Texas A&M University

Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Overton; live-
stock nutritionist, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M
University, College Station; Extension poultry specialist,
Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University,
College Station; and technician, Overton.

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station • Edward A. Hiler, Director • The Texas A&M University System • College Station, Texas
range from 13.2 to 38.9 percent (Table 1). The average content of most nutrients in
Obviously some of the broiler litter being fed broiler litter being fed in Texas was slightly
did not meet the minimum protein percentage higher than the recommended maximum feed-
of about 19 percent for feed quality litter. ing level (Table 1). However, the average cop-
About 40 percent of the crude protein in broil- per level (547 ppm) was 5 times greater than
er litter may be in the form of non-protein the recommended maximum level. Feeding
nitrogen which is primarily uric acid (Ruffin broiler litter at more than 50 percent of the
and McCaskey, 1993). Therefore, beef calves total diet will result in over feeding protein and
should weigh at least 450 pounds to be able to minerals and increase the chance of copper
take advantage of non-protein nitrogen. If the toxicity. Broiler litter is low in energy and void
broiler litter contains more than 25 percent of vitamin A (Subcommittee on Feed
moisture when stored in a pile, it can heat up Composition, 1982). Supplementation of broil-
to temperatures above 140 degrees F and cause er litter to overcome these limitations will be
up to 50 percent of the protein to be unavail- discussed later.
able to livestock because of excess heating. The
ash portion of poultry litter is composed of soil Managing Broiler Litter for Feeding
and minerals. Litter contains about 12 to 15 Because of the variability in nutrient content
percent ash as minerals. Ash content higher of broiler litter, a composite sample should be
than this indicates soil contamination of the lit- taken from 5 to 10 sites in the litter pile and
ter when it was removed from dirt-f loor broiler sent to a laboratory (university of private) to
houses. If the litter is to be fed, it is important determine nutrient concentration. If the litter
to include as little soil as possible to keep the is of low quality (below 19 percent protein),
percent ash below 28. Nitrogen and acid deter- feeding practices may have to be altered and
gent soluble nitrogen are negatively correlated future broiler litter purchased from other
with ash (Stephenson et al., 1990). sources. Broiler litter contains pathogenic bac-

Table 1. Average and range of nutrients in 61 poultry litter samples fed to livestock in Northeast Texas
during the 1993-94 winter and the recommended nutrient range and maximum levels for beef cattle diets
(Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, Sixth Revised Edition, 1984, National Research Council).
Nutrient Average Range Recommended Range Maximum Level
Moisture % 22.3 14.0 - 38.9 — —
Protein % 21.5 13.2 - 31.4 7.0 - 16.0 —
Nitrogen % 3.44 2.11 - 5.02 1.1 - 2.6 —
Phosphorus % 1.79 1.06 - 2.74 0.17 - 0.39 1.0
Potassium % 2.59 1.42 - 3.70 0.50 - 0.70 3.0
Calcium % 2.15 1.18 - 3.99 0.16 - 0.58 2.0
Magnesium % 0.55 0.29 - 0.90 0.05 - 0.25 0.4
Sodium % 0.97 0.53 - 2.18 0.06 - 0.10 10.0a

Zinc ppm 499.0 248.0 - 703.0 20.0 - 40.0 500.0

Iron ppm 1742.0 320.0 - 8533.0 5.0 - 100.0 1000.0
Copper ppm 547.0 43.0 - 1336.0 4.0 - 10.0 115.0
Manganese ppm 545.0 284.0 - 835.0 20.0 - 50.0 1000.0
Sulfur ppm 5001.0 457.0 - 7360.0 800.0 - 1500.0 4000.0
Boron ppm 74.0 54.0 - 158.0 - - - -
Chlorine ppm 9218.0 3103.0 - 23960.0 - - - -
Selenium ppm 1.22 0.82 - 2.08 0.05 - 0.3 2.0
Arsenic ppm 40.0 10.0 - 64.0 - - - 50.0
aAs salt (NaCl).
teria and residues from medicated poultry herd health problems and improve animal per-
rations such as antibiotics and coccidiostats. formance. Adding 10 to 20 percent corn to
The most economical method to eliminate this broiler litter for dry cows primarily makes the
risk when litter is fed to cattle is deep stacking ration more palatable. Once cows become
the litter. accustomed to eating broiler litter, many pro-
ducers eliminate corn from the ration of dry
To process broiler litter for feeding, it should
cows. Vitamin A, which is essential for normal
be stacked a minimum of 4 to 5 feet deep
growth and reproduction, may become limiting
under a roof or plastic cover so that it is pro-
if the litter feeding period exceeds 100 days
tected from rain. If the litter gets wet, nitrogen
without green grass. It can be added to the
(protein) will be lost through volatilization and
ration (1500 I.U./lb feed). Auburn University
leaching. When litter contains about 20 percent
recommends mixing Bovatec or Rumensin to
moisture, it will reach a temperature of 130 to
the ration for young growing animals to pre-
140 degrees F for one to three weeks which is
vent bloat (B. G. Ruffin, personal communica-
sufficient to destroy any pathogens. Litter con-
tion). Herd health problems tend to increase as
taining about 25 percent or more moisture will
broiler litter becomes a larger percentage of
heat to 160 degrees F, which will decrease the
the total diet.
digestibility of the protein (McCaskey et al.,
1990). The excessive heating can be reduced if
the litter stack is covered in an air-tight manner
Potential Herd Health Problems
with 6-ml polyethylene plastic (Rankins, 1995). Hardware disease. Nails, wire, and other metal
Litter that is charred or blackened and has the objects may fall on the poultry house f loor and
appearance of large particles of coffee grounds be removed with the poultry litter during clean
is typical of heat damaged broiler litter. out. Nails are especially common in the first
clean out of a newly constructed poultry house.
Feeding Broiler Litter Producers who use a mixer wagon can use
magnetic plates on the discharge chute to col-
Broiler litter has its greatest economic value
lect metal objects from the litter. Producers
if fed as a protein and mineral supplement.
feeding a small number of cattle will pass the
Calcium and phosphorus requirements of beef
litter through a screen to remove large objects;
cows can be met by feeding 3 lbs./hd/day.
however, this is not as effective as a magnet.
Feeding dry cows 7 to 8 lbs./day and cows
Screening the litter will also remove large
nursing calves 10 to 11 lbs./day will satisfy pro-
wood chips.
tein requirements if broiler litter is the only
source of protein. Assuming average quality Milk fever (downer cows). Milk fever is associat-
hay or pasture makes up the remainder of the ed with a calcium or magnesium deficiency or
diet, 5 to 10 lbs./hd/day of broiler litter an imbalance with other minerals in the diet.
should be sufficient to meet the protein and A cow’s requirement for calcium increases dra-
mineral requirements of beef cattle. matically after calving because of milk produc-
tion. A cow will partially meet this higher calci-
If broiler litter can be obtained at a low cost
um demand by utilizing calcium stored in the
($8 to $20/ton) cattle producers may want to
bone. Studies in Alabama have shown that beef
maximize the amount of litter being fed since it
cows on a 20 percent corn and 80 percent
is less expensive than hay. Because broiler litter
broiler litter diet that contained more than 2
is low in energy, it must be supplemented with
percent calcium had lower serum (blood) calci-
an energy source such as grain, grain by-prod-
um levels than cows on a total hay ration
ucts, rice bran, or processed bakery products
(Rude and Rankins, 1995). Serum calcium lev-
for lactating cows, stockers, and replacement
els of cows on the poultry litter-corn ration
heifers. General recommendations for percent
that also received 3.5 pounds of hay per day
corn in a broiler litter ration are 10 to 20 per-
had intermediate serum calcium levels. This
cent for dry cows, 30 to 35 percent for cows
demonstrates the importance of feeding some
nursing calves and 50 percent for stocker calves
hay with broiler litter to help keep the serum
and replacement heifers (Ruffin and McCaskey,
calcium level up to reduce the risk of milk
1991). The corn should be cracked or ground
fever. Rankins (1995) believes that calcium
because cattle tend to waste feed when fed
resorption from the bone is severely reduced
whole corn rations. In all cases 4 to 5
by the excessive intake of calcium from litter
lbs./hd/day of hay should be fed to reduce
before calving. Some long-stem hay should also Samples of the soil on which these hays were
be fed to stocker cattle or replacement heifers produced were also analyzed and compared on
on a 50:50 corn-broiler litter diet for rumen the basis of fertilization practices. Soils fertil-
stimulation. Steers weighing 600 to 700 ized with broiler litter were significantly higher
pounds on a corn-broiler litter ration gained in pH, phosphorus, salinity, zinc, iron, copper
twice as much (1.7 lbs. per day) when fed about and sodium (Table 3). Calcium level of soils
4 lbs. hay per day than steers not fed hay (0.9 fertilized with broiler litter was five times
lbs. per day) (Rude and Rankins, 1995b). greater than soils fertilized with commercial
In the 1994-95 Texas survey, 12.5 percent of fertilizer, but was not significant because of the
beef cattle producers (7 of 55 producers) large variability in calcium level within each
reported problems with milk fever. All were type of fertilization program. This does not
feeding some hay, and six of the seven were mean that hay fertilized with broiler litter is
mixing grain with the broiler litter. Incidence automatically high in phosphorus. Soil phos-
of milk fever did increase with broiler litter phorus level will depend on the rate of litter
feeding level with five of the seven cooperators applied and the number of years litter was
feeding more than 10 lbs./hd/day. Further used.
investigation revealed that six of the seven
cooperators reporting downer cow problems Table 3. Soil analysis from pastures fertilized with
fed hay fertilized with broiler litter. Nutrient either commercial fertilizer or with poultry litter
composition of all hay samples in the survey for hay production in 1994.
were compared based on fertilization with
Component Commercial Poultry
commercial fertilizer or broiler litter (Table 2).
Fertilizer Litter
Hay fertilized with broiler litter was significant-
ly higher in phosphorus, potassium, sodium, pH 5.31 6.15*
and zinc. A similar survey in eastern Oklahoma ppm
reported hay fertilized with broiler litter was Nitrogen 11.8 20.0
significantly (P>.05) higher in protein, phos- Phosphorus 27.8 218.0*
phorus, potassium, sodium, and copper than
Potassium 89.0 149.0
hay not fertilized with broiler litter (Smith et
al., 1993). Calcium 744.0 3763.0
Magnesium 106.0 152.0
Salinity 165.0 292.0*
Table 2. Nutrient composition of hay, fed to beef
cattle consuming broiler litter, fertilizer with com- Zinc 0.74 6.30*
mercial fertilizer or broiler litter during the 1994- Iron 50.4 34.8*
95 winter. Copper 0.74 3.84*
Component Commercial Broiler Manganese 10.6 13.1
Fertilizer Litter Sodium 17.4 33.1*
% Sulfur 18.5 49.3
Crude protein 8.00 7.71 *P<.10.
Phosphorus 0.197 0.261*
Potassium 1.49 1.85* The elevated soil phosphorus levels resulted
Calcium 0.367 0.389 in a 32 percent higher phosphorus content in
Magnesium 0.171 0.190 the hay. However, broiler litter fertilization did
ppm not significantly increase the calcium concen-
Sodium 527.0 730.0*
tration of the hay. In the Oklahoma study
(Smith et al., 1993), broiler litter fertilization
Zinc 41.7 54.3* also increased the phosphorus concentration
Iron 450.0 450.0 of the hay 38 percent but not the calcium con-
Copper 8.50 7.92 centration. Indications are that the higher
Manganese 133.0 137.0 phosphorus-calcium ratio in hay grown on
*P<.07. high phosphorus soils may interact with the
existing mineral imbalance of the broiler litter
being fed. Data from this survey indicate that period. Copper toxicity usually doesn’t occur
feeding hay produced on soils with more than until after cows have been eating high litter
200 ppm phosphorus to cows eating poultry diets for 120 days. Silanidove and Tiomkin
litter will increase the incidence of milk fever. (1992) reported a loss in body weight, weak-
Many producers feeding broiler litter anticipate ness, and 10 to 20 percent mortality in beef
a 1 to 3 percent death loss due to milk fever. cows fed more than 22 pounds of broiler lit-
However, even with this death loss it may often ter/hd/day. Animals die suddenly when under
be more profitable to feed the less expensive stress due to weather or handling. Examination
broiler litter than traditional protein and min- of the dead animal by a veterinarian is neces-
eral supplements. sary to determine if copper toxicity is the cause
of death. Broiler litter should not be fed to
Dystocia (calving difficulty). Calving problems
sheep since they are unable to remove excess
are part of beef cattle production, especially
copper from the liver.
with first-calf heifers. In the Texas survey, 12.5
percent (7 of 55 producers) reported dystocia
problems. What portion of these difficult
Producer Observations
births are due to feeding broiler litter and what Several producers participating in the Texas
proportion are due to poor herd management survey have fed broiler litter to beef cattle for
(i.e., using bulls with large birthweights, over- many years and shared their past experiences.
feeding heifers before calving) is not known. Cows about 8 years of age and older are more
There were no trends observed in the Texas lit- susceptible to milk fever (calcium deficiency).
ter feeding surveys on the level of broiler litter It is believed that the ability to reabsorb calci-
fed, or if grain, hay and minerals were fed or um from the bone immediately after calving
not. Feeding more than 10 lbs./hd/day of for milk production becomes less effective with
broiler litter would be overfeeding bred heifers age. Producers have also observed that milk
which would enhance the growth of the fever problems escalate on overcast and cloudy
unborn calf. days. Vitamin D is required for calcium and
phosphorus absorption, normal mineralization
Breeding problems. Fourteen percent of the
of bone, and mobilization of calcium from
cooperators in the Texas survey reported
bone. Sunlight (ultraviolet light with wave-
delayed breeding or rebreeding problems in
lengths between 230 and 300 nm) is necessary
beef cows fed broiler litter. Seven of the eight
for formation of vitamin D in plants and ani-
livestock producers were feeding more than 10
mals. Therefore, periods of cloudy days could
lbs./hd/day of broiler litter. Elrod and Butler
reduce vitamin D levels and restrict calcium
(1993) have reported a decrease in first-service
availability. Vitamin D is available from sun-
conception rates of Holstein heifers fed high
cured forages harvested as hay. To reduce the
degradable protein levels. They concluded that
incidence of milk fever, cattle producers should
the excessive protein reduced the pH in the
consider feeding less litter to brood cows
uterus which may be detrimental to sperm and
approximately 1 month before calving. Fall
the fertilized egg. There have also been some
calving is another option to minimize milk
observations of delayed rebreeding of cows on
fever problems since cows calve before the win-
lush winter pasture that was 20 to 25 percent
ter feeding period begins.
protein.
Copper toxicity. Copper is an essential ele- Summary
ment in animal nutrition with recommended
Broiler litter has its greatest economic value
dietary concentrations of 4 to 10 ppm for beef
when substituted for protein (cottonseed meal,
cattle. Maximum dietary copper levels for
soybean meal, etc.) and mineral supplements
growing cattle are 115 ppm with higher tolera-
for over-wintering beef cattle. It is critical to
ble levels for adult cattle (Subcommittee on
use feed quality litter (minimum 19 percent
Beef Cattle Nutrition, 1984). Copper levels
protein, maximum 28 percent ash) that has
reported in the 1993-94 broiler litter survey
gone through a heat of 130 to 140 degrees F to
ranged from 43 to 1336 ppm with an average
eliminate pathogenic bacteria and residues
of 547 ppm (Table 1). Excess copper accumu-
from medicated poultry feeds. Feeding 5
lates in the liver when feeding high broiler lit-
lbs./day to dry cows and 10 lbs./day broiler lit-
ter diets during the winter. However, the cop-
ter to cows nursing calves with free choice aver-
per level decreases during the summer grazing
age quality hay should meet their protein and
mineral requirements. Some grain or other Ruffin, B. G. and T. A. McCaskey. 1991. Feeding
high energy feed may have to be added to the Broiler Litter to Beef Cattle. Alabama Cooperative
litter for cows nursing calves. Herd health Extension Service, Auburn Univ. Circular ANR-
problems associated with feeding broiler litter 557.
can be reduced by not feeding more than 10 Ruffin, B. G. and T. A. McCaskey. 1993. Practical
lbs./hd/day. An additional precaution against feeding of biodegradable animal wastes to farm
milk fever is to feed hay produced on soils with animals. Proc. 1993 Poultry Waste Management
less than 200 ppm available phosphorus. An and Water Quality Workshop.
alternative feed use of broiler litter is a 50-50 Silanikove, N., and D. Tiomkin. 1992. Toxicity
mixture with corn and 3 to 5 pounds of induced by poultry litter consumption: effects
hay/hd/day for stocker calves or replacement on measurements ref lecting liver function in
heifers plus an ionophore (Bovatec, Rumensin) beef cows. Animal Production 34:203-209.
to reduce bloat. Smith, S. C., J. G. Britton, J. D. Enis, K. C. Barnes,
and K. S. Lusby. 1993. Mineral levels of broiler
References litter and forages and soils fertilized with litter.
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Elrod, C. C. and W. R. Butler. 1993. Reduction of Oklahoma State Univ.
fertility and alteration of uterine pH in heifers
fed excess ruminally degradable protein. J. Stephenson, A. H., T. A. McCaskey and B. G.
Anim. Sci. 71:694-701. Ruffin. 1990. A survey of broiler litter composi-
tion and potential value as a nutrient resource.
McCaskey, T. A. 1995. Feeding broiler poultry litter Biological Wastes 34:1-9.
as an alternative waste management strategy. p.
493-502. In Kenneth Steele (ed.) Animal Waste Subcommittee on Beef Cattle Nutrition, National
and the Land-Water Interface. Lewis Publishers, Research Council. 1984. Nutrient Requirements of
New York. Beef Cattle, Sixth Revised Addition, National
Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
McCaskey, T. A., B. G. Ruffin, J. T. Eason and R. C.
Strickland. 1994. Value of broiler poultry litter Subcommittee on Feed Composition, National
as feed for beef cattle. p. 267-272. In Proc. 1994 Research Council. 1982. United States - Canadian
National Poultry Waste Management Symposium, Tables of Feed Composition, Third Revised
Univ. of Georgia, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 1994. Addition, National Academy Press, Washington,
D.C.
McCaskey, T. A., A. H. Stephenson, and B. G.
Ruffin. 1990. Factors that inf luence the mar-
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Acknowledgements
Agric. and Food Processing Wastes. ASAE Pub. We appreciate the assistance of David
05-90:197-203. Sestak of the Texas A&M University Plant
Rankins, R. L., Jr. 1995. Processing options for Disease Research Station at Yoakum for
broiler litter. Fed Mix Vol 3 p. 8-11. collection of litter, hay, and soil samples in
Rude, B. J. and D. L. Rankins. 1995a. Effect of hay the Shiner-Gonzales area. We thank Dr.
supplementation on mineral status of brood Tom McCaskey, Department of Animal
cows fed diets containing broiler litter. p. 113. Science, Auburn University; Dr. Dennis
Proc. Southern Section Animal Science, New Herd, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist; Dr.
Orleans, LA Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 1995. Randall Grooms, Extension Livestock
Rude, B. J. and D. L. Rankins. 1995b. Effect of hay Specialist; James Greer, Shelby County
supplementation on performance of and Extension Agent; and Dennis Smith, Camp
digestibility in growing steers fed broiler litter County Extension Agent, for their sugges-
with or without molasses addition. J. Anim. Sci., tions and review of this paper.
Vol. 73. Supplement 1. p. 287. Orlando, July 25
- 28, 1995.

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