UTIZATION OF POULTRY FEATHERS IN FOOD AND FEED: 2. NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CHICKEN HYDROLYZED FEATHER MEAL AS TESTED ON STARTING CHICKENS

Hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) prepared from chicken feathers by NaOH hydrolysis was evaluated on starting chickens for nutritional, bilogical and economic aspects.A number of 150 Habbard chicks, 1 day of age, were fed for 7 days on a commercial ration, then ( at 8 days of age) were randomly dsitributed on 3 groups and each group was divided into 5 subgroups (5 replicates, 10 chicks in each). Feeding lasted for 7 weeks. In starter and finisher diets HEM protein replaced 0.25 and 50% of the ration protein. At 8 weeks of age body weight was 1767, 1749 and 1561 respectively for 3 groups, while daily weight gain was 44.00 , 43.74 and 39.54gm for chickens of control. 25% HFM and 50% HFM ra­tion respectively . Differences between control and 25% HFM groups were insiginficant , but were significant between the control and 50% HFM groups. No mortality cases occured during feeding experiment. With regard to breast bone length, shank length, feed consumption and feed conversion, differences between control and 25% HFM ( in contrast to 50% HEM as compared to control ) were insignificant. Digestion coeffi­cient of C.P. was highest for 25% HFM, but this was not reflected in bet­ter gain results as compared to control group, becaouse of less E.E., C.F. NFE and O.M. digestion coefficients. All digestion coefficients were low­est for 50% HFM groups. Calculated selling price of 1 ton HFM was 2.71 % adn 5.89 of that of fish meal and soy meal respectively. Economic ef­ficency for 25% HFM was higher than for the control ration. AT 25% lev­el, HFM protein could replace completely the fish meal (animal protein) and partially the soy meal indicating the high nutritional biological value at mentioned level. It is suggested to use such meal for poultries rations and investigate the possibility of its use in man's diet.