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The Beef You Eat Is Probably Fed Chicken Manure
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Overview
It may seem simply too gross to imagine, but the simple fact is that many, if not most, American cattle ranchers are feeding their cattle chicken droppings. It is called by other names, such as "Processed Broiler Litter for Ruminant Feed" but it is still chicken manure.
Listen to this quote from 
Volume 1, issue 1, 1994, "Making the Most of Manure", found at the web site from The Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, found at
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/agron/nutrient/Factshee/Manure/mostman.html#anchor23339 .
| "Recent studies have shown that broiler litter possesses substantial nutritional value. Since the 1950s, broiler litter has become a common component for cattle diets in areas where broilers are produced. Cattle requirements for calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals are usually met when broiler litter comprises 20% or more of the diet. Broiler litter may have a value of $80-$120 per ton when formulated as feed to supply protein to growing and finishing cattle (see University of Maryland's Department of Animal Science Fact Sheet B1303). This feed is best suited for ruminant animals like cattle and sheep, because ruminants digest their feed twice and can extract nutrients left after the first pass. Ensiled broiler litter has a fermented smell and is very acceptable in cattle diets. When stored in deep stacks, the heating process not only eliminates potentially toxic bacteria, but also replaces the characteristic ammonia smell of manure with a sweeter aroma. Dry litter retains crude protein and other nutrients better than wet litter. A survey of Virginia producers using broiler litter as a feedstuff indicated that they considered it to have a feed value five times greater than its cost. Beef cattle feeds containing broiler litter have effectively been utilized in maintenance, growing and finishing rations. However broiler litter rations should not be fed to cattle producing milk for human consumption and should be discontinued as feed for beef cattle 15 days prior to slaughter. No feeding problems attributed to manure feed have occurred, nor have there been any problems with cattle grade, carcass quality, or marketing. |
Am I the only one appalled that they glibly state "No feeding problems attributed to manure feed have occurred.... ... or marketing"? Of course, not! There are no studies going on, and certainly the vast majority of people are unaware of this practice. Most of us believe that American beef is "100% corn fed" as used to be advertised. We sure don't see "We feed our cows chicken crap!" in their advertising now!
Need more proof?
Here are links to other independent web sites reporting on it:
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The Use of Chicken Manure/Litter In Animal Feed - INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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This page was updated on 23-Jan-2011
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