Using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution to Determine the Best Level of Hydrolysed Feather Powder in Broilers Diet.

Background: Feathers constitute about 5-7 percent of broilers live body weight, and they are bulky waste in poultry slaughterhouses. These wastes are a serious issue that can cause environmental pollution. On the other hand, poultry feathers can be considered as a dietary ingredient to decrease the competition between humans and poultry in consuming corn and soybeans.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the best level of hydrolysed feather powder inclusion in broilers diet by using TOPSIS.

Methods: A total of five hundred Arian broiler chicks were used in a completely randomised design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates, and 25 chicks per replicate. Experimental treatments included four levels of hydrolysed feather powder as 0, 3, 6, or 9 % of the diet. The experiment lasted for 42 days. After recording parameters relating to the birds growth performance, carcass characteristics, production index, humoral immunity, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, multiple attribute decision making (MADM), and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) were used.

Results: Considering the closeness coefficient, hydrolysed feather at the level of 3 % had the highest coefficient (0.8038); however, hydrolysed feather at the level of 9 % had the lowest coefficient (0.7364).

Conclusions: Hydrolysed feather can be considered as a protein source in broilers diet that is not used as food for humans, and it will help the circular feed economy. With regard to the multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) method, it is recommended to use 3 % hydrolysed feather in the broilers diet.