Deep-pit caged layer waste which had accumulated for about 2-yr was collected from beneath hens housed on wire mesh cages, was mixed with chopped corn forage and ensiled in 2 kg cardboard containers double lined with polyethylene bags and sealed to study fermentation characteristics and microbial analyses. Proportions of corn forage and caged layer waste, wet basis, were 100:0, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60. Corn forage and caged layer waste in ratios of 100:0, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 mixtures, were ensiled in 210 liter metal drums doubled lined with polyethylene bags, to study fermentation characteristics, microbial analyses, chemical composition and to conduct a metabolism trial. For both types of silos the pH of the ensiled mixtures increased (P<.01) as level of waste increased. Lactic acid was higher (P<.01) for waste containing silages, compared to corn silage. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, salmonella, shigella and proteus were decreased or eliminated by ensiling. Dry matter, crude protein, and ash increased (P<.01) with waste levels. In a sheep metabolism trial, 30 wethers were fed diets consisting of the five silages in large silos, also, corn silage with sufficient soybean meal added to increase the crude protein content to that of 70:30 silage was used as a fifth diet. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter was higher (P<.01) for the corn silage diet, compared to the corn forage-waste silage diets, but the differences were small for organic matter. Within corn forage-waste silages a linear decrease (P<.05) was recorded in dry matter digestibility as caged layer waste increased. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was higher (P<.01) for corn silage supplemented with soybean meal, compared with 70:30 corn forage-waste silage diet. Higher (P<.01) N utilization was obtained for sheep fed the corn silage diet, compared with those fed the waste treated silages. No difference (P<.05) in N retention was recorded when sheep were fed 70:30 corn forage-waste silage diet or corn silage supplemented with soybean meal. / Master of Science