- Information contained in this publication is provided
as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional
advice should be sought.The Department of Primary Industries Queensland
has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication
is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they
make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available
on the particular subject matter. _____
-
- What is chicken litter?
-
- When chickens are raised on the ground in broiler houses,
a layer of material is used to cover the ground and to provide a suitable
surface for the birds. This litter absorbs much of the manure produced
by the birds. The litter is renewed regularly and the old material has
been used to fertilise pastures. The manure is a source of plant nutrients,
including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
-
- What is the risk?
-
- Some batches of chicken litter have caused cattle to
die from botulism. This is a disease that involves progressive paralysis
of the animal.
-
- A bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, produces the potent
toxin "botulinum" in some organic materials when they decompose.
"Botulism" is also a serious form of food poisoning in humans.
It is a common cause of death in cattle that graze in phosphorus-deficient
areas. When carcases decay, the botulism bacteria can proliferate and produce
the toxin. Cattle consume the toxin from bones that they chew due to hunger
induced by phosphorus deficiency.
-
- Years ago, chicken litter was used in Queensland as a
feed supplement for cattle in order to provide high protein levels. A spectacular
loss of over 5 000 head of feedlot cattle occurred when one batch of chicken
litter proved to be contaminated with the toxin.
-
- Feeding chicken litter is illegal
-
- It is now illegal in Queensland to include faeces (manure)
in any ration prepared for or fed to stock without the approval in writing
of the Chief Inspector, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane. If
you are using chicken litter to feed stock or for the dual purpose of fertilising
paddocks and providing a feed supplement, you are breaking the law and
could be prosecuted.
-
- Litter on pastures can still be a risk
-
- Although it may have not been intentionally fed, there
have been instances where chicken litter has been spread on pasture and
stock have subsequently had access to the area. In effect, these stock
have been fed the litter. Cattle have died of botulism as a result.
-
- How to avoid problems
-
- There are some steps that can be taken to minimise this
risk:
-
- * Avoid the use of chicken litter on areas where stock
will graze. * Plough in chicken litter rather than spread it on the surface.
* Withhold stock from pastures where chicken litter has been used until
the litter has fully assimilated with the soil. * Ensure that cattle that
graze pastures where chicken litter has previously been used have received
full vaccination for botulism well in advance.
-
-
- Further reading and information:
-
- Another DPI Note in this series discusses botulism in
the extensive grazing situation - "Botulism in Cattle: Symptoms, and
phosphorus for control" See www.dpi.qld.gov.au/dpinotes/animals/cattle/cattle.html
or the Prime Notes CD-ROM.
-
- Contact the DPI Call Centre: Phone 13 25 23 (Queensland
residents) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays. Non-Queensland residents
phone 07 3404 6999.
-
- MainPage
http://www.rense.com
-
-
-
- This
Site Served by TheHostPros
|