Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Steers Consuming Broiler Litter with or without Aluminum Sulfate

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of adding alum (aluminum sulfate) to broiler litter on nutrient digestibility and utilization and animal BW gains when fed to steers. To determine nutrient digestibility and utilization, 12 steers were housed in individual metabolism crates and fed one of three diets: 1) 1:1 corn:broiler litter treated with alum (ALUM); 2) 1:1 corn:untreated traditional broiler litter (TRAD); 3) a commercially available diet (CON). Dry matter intake did not differ (P>0.05) among treatments. Digestibility of DM and OM was greater (P<0.05) in steers fed ALUM and TRAD, than in steers fed CON. NDF was most digestible (P<0.05) by animals fed TRAD and least digestible by those fed CON, with those consuming ALUM being intermediate. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in ADF, CP, or energy digestibility. Apparent protein retention was greater (P<0.05) in steers fed ALUM and TRAD than in those fed CON. To determine the effect of broiler litter on steer BW gains, a 28-d grazing trial was conducted with 20 steers randomly allotted to the same two broiler litter dietary treatments (n=10) used in the digestibility trial. Steers receiving ALUM gained faster (P<0.05) than those receiving TRAD. Addition of aluminum sulfate to broiler litter fed to cattle did not inhibit nutrient digestibility or utilization.