Fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of silage made from different ratios of cattle manure and maize residues were investigated. Manure (fresh) obtained from steers fed on a high concentrate diet was ensiled on a laboratory scale with maize residues in ratios of 50:50, 60:40, 70:30 and 80:20 for a period of 6 weeks. The ensiled mixtures were analysed for: in vitro dry matter digestibility, acid-detergent fibre, neutral-detergent fibre, crude protein, true protein, and water-soluble carbohydrates. Fermentation characteristics were determined by measuring: pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and ammonia-nitrogen. Effective preservation with a favourable fermentation pattern was obtained which was little influenced by the ratio of manure to maize residues. The protein content of the silage showed a linear increase with an increasing ratio of manure to maize residues. A possible optimum ratio of 70:30 was found in respect of in vitro dry matter digestibility.