Abstract
Citrus pulp was ensiled with the mixture of poultry litter and corn forage (60:40) in the ratio 0: 100, 10:90, 20:80,
30:70 and 40:60 (wet basis), respectively. Samples of pre-ensiled mixtures showed the presence of total
(3.1x105
-1.01x105
) and fecal (1.01x104
-O.18x104
) colony forming units (CFU). Salmonella, Shigella and Proteus
were also present. Ensiling was effective in complete elimination of all pathogens. Ory matter (OM), crude protein
(CP), crude fiber (CF) and ash contents decreased (P<0.05) linearly with the increase of citrus pulp in the silages
(714-559, 167-120, and 292- 251 g kg'\ OM basis, respectively). Water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) for preensiled mixtures were, 51, 57, 63, 68 and 74 g kg'1 on OM basis, respectively. Following ensiling pH and WSC
decreased (P<0.05) for all the silages but decrease was higher (P<0.05) for the silages containing citrus pulp than
the silage without citrus pulp. Lactic acid concentration in the silages increased linearly (P<0.05) with the increase
of citrus pulp. The nutritive value of silages was evaluated in a digestion trial with 30 wethers. The apparent
digestibility of OM, CP and CF for animals fed poultry litter-corn forage alone was 618g.kg'1, 616 g.kg1
and 510
g.kg'1 respectively. However, digestibilities of all the components increased (P<0.05) with increase of citrus pulp
up to 30% level in the diet then decreased. The diet containing 30% citrus pulp showed higher (P<0.05)
digestibility of all the components than the diets containing 10, 20 and 40% citrus pulp. The results indicated that
citrus pulp can be used safely up to 30% in ruminants' diet as source of digestible carbohydrates with out any
adverse effect on the health of animals. Ensiling appeared to be safe and feasible mean of preserving citrus pulp
and losses of the nutrients due to the high moisture content of the citrus pulp can be reduced by ensiling it with
poultry litter and chopped corn forage.
Keywords: Citrus pulp, poultry litter, corn forage, pathogens, digestibility, ensiling, sheep.
