Responses of Feedlot Bunaji Bulls to Concentrate Diets Containing Different Levels of Ensiled Cage Layer Chicken Droppings

The experiment assessed the potential of using cage layer chicken droppings in the diets of feedlot Bunaji bulls. The droppings were ensiled for 21 days, dried (test ingredient) and incorporated in the diets at 0, 10, 20 and 30% denoted as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Twelve (12) intact Bunaji bulls with average weight of 130.17±2.56 kg was divided in four groups (3 animals each) and allotted among the four treatment diets, in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were collected and subjected to a one-way analysis of variance using SPSS (version 23). Results reveal that feed intake, weight changes, feed conversion ratio, haematological, serum and oxidative biomarkers were not affected (p>0.05) by the experimental diets. There was increase (p<0.05) in the rumen pH of bulls in T4 compared to T2. Total volatile fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased (p<0.05) in all the animals fed diets with test ingredient. The inclusion of cage layer chicken droppings in the diets of the bulls at 30% resulted in a reduction (p<0.05) in total bacteria count, amylolytic bacteria and an increase (p<0.05) in lipolytic and proteolytic fungi, compared to control. Feeding test ingredient to feedlot Bunaji bulls resulted in a reduced average unit cost of production with higher revenue and subsequently gross profit margin. It is recommended that cage layer chicken droppings can be incorporated in the diets of feedlot Bunaji bulls at 20% optimum performance and profitability of the feedlot operation.