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An Evaluation of Browse Silage Production As A Feed Component For Zoo Herbivores - ZOO TORONTO

This document evaluates the production of browse silage as a feed component for zoo herbivores. Apple was used as the sole browse plant species, with leaves, stems, and immature fruits ensiled in polyethylene drums from June to August 2010. Samples taken after an average of 206 days of ensiling had a pH of 4.88 and nutritional values comparable to fresh browse. The apple browse silage was readily consumed by zoo animals. However, ensiling apple browse took much longer than willow. To increase efficiency, a dedicated browse plantation was planted with willow and poplar trees for future silage production.

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61 views

An Evaluation of Browse Silage Production As A Feed Component For Zoo Herbivores - ZOO TORONTO

This document evaluates the production of browse silage as a feed component for zoo herbivores. Apple was used as the sole browse plant species, with leaves, stems, and immature fruits ensiled in polyethylene drums from June to August 2010. Samples taken after an average of 206 days of ensiling had a pH of 4.88 and nutritional values comparable to fresh browse. The apple browse silage was readily consumed by zoo animals. However, ensiling apple browse took much longer than willow. To increase efficiency, a dedicated browse plantation was planted with willow and poplar trees for future silage production.

Uploaded by

gabrielwerneck
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AN EVALUATION OF BROWSE SILAGE PRODUCTION AS A FEED COMPONENT

FOR ZOO HERBIVORES.

Thierry Lachance

Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7


University of Guelph, Guelph ON

ABSTRACT

Browse is an essential part of many zoo animals’ diet. Our prevailing temperate climate in
Southern Ontario makes it impossible to provide enough fresh browse year round. Therefore
browse is preserved by ensiling. In this research we compared harvest time, nutrient content and
time of preservation. Apple (Malus domestica) was used as the sole browse plant species.
Leaves, stems and immature fruits were pruned off and placed in 30L polyethylene drums,
packed and compressed with the self-designed and constructed browse press. A total of 62
drums, with an average weight of 16kg, were made from June to August 2010. Samples were
taken after an average ensiling period of 206 days and frozen at -20C until analysis. Yeast
colonies grew in 41% of the barrels. Apple browse silage averaged a pH of 4.88 and contained
58.4% Moisture with 7.6% crude protein, 44.9% neutral detergent fiber, 36.3% acid detergent
fiber, 29.7% lignin, 2.6% starch, 1.46% calcium, 0.13% phosphorus, 43.38% non-fiber
carbohydrates, 2.06% fat and 6.33% ash in dry matter. The nutritional values obtained from our
analyses are generally comparable to those on browse in the literature. The apple browse silage
was readily eaten by every animal it was offered to and in many cases picked over their regular
diets. The experience gained with our ensiling technique was a worthwhile experience. However,
when compared to willow, ensiling apple browse took us 4-5 times longer. In hopes of making
this ensiling process more efficient we planted a dedicated browse plantation, with 10,000
willow and poplar trees for future silage production.

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