Study on the Use of Dried Poultry Litter in the Camel's Ration

A feeding trial of 120 days duration was conducted to study the effect of replacing 20 and 25 % of camel ration by poultry litter (PL) on the performance and some blood biochemical parameters. Fifteen healthy one–humped camels were allotted into three groups (5 animals / group). The first group was fed a basal ration and considered as control, while the second and third groups were fed rations in which poultry litter replaced 20 and 25 % of the basal ration. There was no significant differences in the dry matter intake and digestion coefficients of dry matter and ether extract between the different groups and camels fed on ration containing poultry litter had significantly (P < 0.05) decreased daily gain and feed conversion compared to the control. The apparent digestibility of crude protein by camels increased with 20 % poultry litter in the ration compared with other treatments. Digestibility of crude fibre was higher in rations containing poultry litter compared to control one. No significant differences were observed in blood biochemical parameters except urea and uric acid concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the serum of animals fed on poultry litter. In general, it could be concluded that, dried poultry litter can be utilized efficiently and safely in rations of camels up to a level of 25 % without adversely effect on performance.