Feather meal—A biological waste: Its processing and utilization as a feedstuff for poultry

The increasing size of poultry processing plants has intensified the problem of disposal of poultry wastes, mainly offals and feathers. Processing of this waste as a feedstuff will play a part in solving the world's protein needs by producing more animal protein and creating a price structure. Raw feathers are not digested by animals. Processing them by means of pressure ranging from 207 to 690 kPa, time ranging from 6 to 60 min and moisture ranging from 60 to 70%, will break down their keratinous material, resulting in a hydrolized feather meal with a 70% digestible crude protein. Processing is at present achieved by batch cooker, continuous processing, or high shear extruding. Time, pressure, humidity and agitation affect the nutritive value of the hydrolized feather meal. Some additions, such as synthetic amino acids, methionine, lysine, fish meal, dried whey powder, to hydrolized feathers in diets or to poultry offal during processing will increase the nutritive value of this product. Hydrolized feather meal may be added up to 6% of the ration for broilers, 7% for layers and 5% for turkeys in well balanced diets, without harmful effect as far as production or health are concerned.