Abstract:
This study investigated the potential of poultry feathers, a keratin-rich byproduct of the poultry industry, as an alternative protein source for broiler feed through microbial hydrolysis. Feathers from roaster, broiler, and domestic chickens(Gallus gallus domesticus) were evaluated under a completely randomized design with standardized cage management. Birds were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: commercial feed, hydrolyzed feather meal, and un hydrolyzed feather meal. Feathers were collected, pretreated, and enzymatically hydrolyzed using keratinase-producing bacteria under optimized conditions of pH and temperature to enhance protein digestibility. Crude protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, revealing domestic feathers to have the highest protein content (24.40%), followed by broiler (19.07%) and roaster feathers (16.68%). Optimization experiments indicated that keratin degradation was most efficient at pH 3 and 50 °C, resulting in significant weight loss and improved disruption of the keratin matrix. The hydrolyzed feather meal was subsequently incorporated into broiler diets to assess its effects on growth performance, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen retention. Results demonstrated that birds receiving hydrolyzed feather meal exhibited enhanced protein utilization and superior growth compared to those fed untreated feather meal or commercial feed. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of converting poultry feather waste into a nutritionally valuable feed ingredient through microbial bioconversion, offering both economic and environmental benefits by lowering feed costs and reducing waste disposal challenges.
Page(s):
121-121
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: 1st International Conference on "Recent Advances in Green Biotechnology and Climate Resilience", September 15-16, 2025, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2025