Composted Municipal Garbage for Broiler Litter

Composted municipal garbage (CMG) from two sources was evaluated as broiler litter in three experiments involving a total of 33,920 broilers. An aerobically digested CMG and a windrow processed CMG were each compared to a wood shavings control. Broilers reared on the CMG had statistically or numerically improved body weights compared to the wood shavings control in all trials (31, 12, and 44 g heavier in Experiment 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Feed efficiency was also improved with CMG, whereas litter treatments did not differ in other production or carcass characteristics. Based on limited published reports with wood base litter materials, select trace elements and pesticide levels in CMG litter and tissue were generally within previously reported levels. Exceptions were high mercury, lead, chromium, and nickel in CMG litter, which will require additional research to quantitate significance.