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Feasibility of Using Fallen Tea Leaves as Litter in Broiler Rearing

S Chakma
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.

MY Miah
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.

A Ara
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.

MH Kawsar
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

One hundred eighty straight run day old Cobb-500 broilers were reared on rice husk, sawdust, wood shaving and chopped tea leaves litter up to 35 days of age. The broilers were fed ad libitum. At 35 days the body weight of chicken reared on sawdust attained the highest body weight (p<0.01) than other litters. FCR was the best on saw dust. The moisture content of different litters did not differ significantly. Oocyst population in rice husk was found to be higher (p<0.01) than those on other litters, except those reared on wood shaving. Moisture content of litters and oocyst population were positively correlated at 14 and 35 days and negatively correlated at 21 and 28 days of age. The litter cost per broiler and per kg broiler was the highest on rice husk (RH), intermediate on sawdust (SD), Wood shavings (WS) and the lowest on chopped fallen tea leaves (CFTL). It was concluded that it may be possible to minimize the cost of litter by using CFTL.

Keywords: Broiler, Litter, Tea leaves, Litter cost, Oocyst.

Location: Sylhet Agricultural University

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of CFTL on the performance and economic feasibility of using tea leaves as a litter material in rearing broilers.

Methodology:

A total of 180 day old Cobb 500 straight run broilers were randomly distributed to 4 litter treatments; RH, SD, WS and CFTL at a depth of 5 cm having 3 replications each. The CFTL were collected from the tea garden and dried on the sun. The CFTL were chopped by chopping machine and used as litter material. The broilers were fed ad libitum on 2 standard diets; broiler starter (0-21 days), broiler grower and broiler finisher (28 - 35 days) diets. The broilers were exposed to a continuous lighting of 23 hours and dark period of 1 hour during 24 hour of the day. Each broiler was given a floor space of 1000 cm2. Brooding temperature started at 34^OC and reduced @ 2.5^OC per week until 21^OC.Representative litter samples were collected from 4 corners and central position of each pen weekly and mixed thoroughly for making composite samples. Half of the mixed samples were used for the determination of moisture content and the remaining half was processed to determine coccidial oocyst population. The coccidial oocysts were determined every week. Moisture content of every representative sample was determined in duplicate at 105º C until constant weight was recorded. The samples were stored in a refrigerator before examination. The number of oocyst per gram of litter was counted by following the method reported by Karim et al. (1994) with slight modification. 10g litter samples weresoaked in 100 ml of water for 24 hours. It was mixed thoroughly by vigorous shaking in a screw-capped bottle and subsequently sieved through a tea strainer to remove the coarse particles. After centrifugation (at 1100 RPM for 5 minutes) the supernatant was discarded and the sediment was resuspended in 100 ml of saturated salt solution. Two chambers of a Mc Master counting slide were filled with the suspension with the help of a pipette and allowed 3 to 5 minutes for floatation. The number of oocyst was counted by a tally counter using a 6x eyepiece and 10x objectives of a compound microscope. The body weight (initial and weekly), feed consumption and mortality were recorded. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated for each replication. Temperature, humidity and moisture contents and the Oocyst population were counted per replication. The collected and calculated data were subjected to analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design using SAS computer packaged program. Significant differences were identified by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.or space of 1000 cm2. Brooding temperature started at 34OC and reduced @ 2.5OC per week until 21OC.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (1): 52-54

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the study that different types of litter materials had no effect on moisture content and survivability, but body weight on sawdust was significantly higher than other treatment groups. Tea leaves absorbed higher amount of moisture (21.36%) in comparison with others litter materials at 35 days of age. Broilers were not be affected by breast blister or leg abnormalities if reared on rice husk, sawdust, wood shaving and tea leaves litter. Oocyst population was increased in birds reared on rice husk while the cost of tea leaves was the lowest.

Knowledge Management: Journal