Feather Meal as Enhancer of Protein in Starter Broiler Birds (A Case Study in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State)
Abstract
The study was conducted with one hundred and forty-four (144) day old “Sayyed” broiler birds to determine the effect of replacing fishmeal with feather meal on the growth performance and cost benefit analysis of starter broiler birds. The birds were randomly distributed into four treatment groups, each comprising of three replicate per treatment with twelve birds per replicate laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated with inclusion of the feather meal to replace fishmeal at the rate of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% corresponding to T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libitum and relevant drugs and vaccination were duly administered as at when due. Proximate composition of feather meal and the experimental diet were carried out. Data obtained from proximate analysis showed that the feather meal had a crude protein of 79.50%, ether extract of 3.98%, ash content of 4.47%, crude fiber of 1.30% and nitrogen free extract of 1.54%. Growth performance was significantly (P<0.05) influenced across the treatments with control having a superior (P<0.05) value for final body weight, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio with values of 765.41g, 25.50g and 2.28 respectively. Cost benefit analysis showed that profit obtained and cost benefit ratio were superior in treatments 4 (75%) with values of #645.43 and 1.63 respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that feather meal up to the inclusion levels of 75% in the diet of starter broilers to replace fishmeal is viable, without any negative impact on the final weight of the birds and leads also to better profit at the short and long run.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
The significant role played by poultry in the provision of animal protein required by man has made the poultry industry to occupy a prominent position in animal production (Olabode et al., 2020). Inline with this indispensable position of poultry in protein supply in the daily protein intake, great emphasis is continually placed on research to ensure continued substance of the poultry industry (Ojewola and Annah, 2011). A major challenge is the increasing price of conventional feedstuff with resultant effect of shortage in animal protein and high cost of poultry production and hence poor animal protein intake among Nigerians. Thus, the low level of animal protein intake by Nigerians has generated concerns as it affects both physical and mental development in Nigerian youths and labour force. Among the ways of tackling this „hydra‟ headed problem is focusing on the production of animals with higher and faster growth rate, of which one is the poultry birds. According to Olabode et al. (2020) poultry birds are the quickest source of meat as it matures very quickly as compared to other livestock produced in the country.
Feather meal is a by-product of processing poultry; it is made from poultry feathers by partially grinding them under elevated heat and pressure and then grinding and drying. Although total nitrogen levels are fairly high (up to 12%), the bioavailability of this nitrogen may be low. Feather meal is used in formulated animal feed and inorganic fertilizer (Crawshaw, 2019). Feather meal is made through a process called „rendering‟. Steam pressure cookers with temperatures over 140oC (284oF) are used to “cook” and sterilize the feathers. This partially hydrolyses the proteins, which denatures them. It is then dried, cooled and ground into a powder for use as a nitrogen source for animal feed (mostly ruminants) or as an organic soil amendment. Feathers represents 3-7% weight of the live bird, therefore producing a considerable mass of protein (Soni et al., 2019).
Conclusion
Results obtained from the experiment showed that feather meal up to the level of 75% at starter phase can be used conveniently to replace fishmeal in the diet of broiler birds, without any negative impact on the performance of the birds and also more and better profit can be achieve especially at 75%.
