Abstract
An experiment was conducted to consider the possibility of ensiling sugarcane tops with or without poultry litter.
Sugarcane top was ensiled alone or with poultry litter in the ratio of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 40:60, dry
basis, respectively. Each mixture was prepared by weighing known amount of each component for the respective
mixture. Silos were prepared by firmly packing the respective treatment into 1 kg capacity plastic bucket, double
lined with polyethylene bags. After 45 days, silages were opened; all silages had desirable aromas and no mould
growth was observed. Addition of broiler litter to sugarcane tops increased (P<0.05) crude protein and ash
contents linearly from 5.8 to 14.8%, dry basis. Low pH for all the silages (4.65 to 3.75) and higher concentration of
lactic acid (3.25 to 11.24, dry basis) indicated completion of desirable fermentation. Results indicated that ensiling
is effective and feasible way of the eliminating pathogenic organism present in the poultry waste. It may be
concluded from the present study that poultry litter and sugarcane tops can be ensiled safely for feeding
ruminants.
