Feeding processed hatchery wastes to poultry

Waste from a local hatchery was processed by cooking it with water at a ratio of 2 waste to 1 water and then dehydrating the product (‘processed hatchery waste’, PHW). PHW was subjected to proximate, mineral and amino acid analyses: it was found to contain 22·8% crude protein 21·48% true protein, 22·64% Ca and 2706 kcal kg⁻ metabolizable energy. The product was incorporated at 2·5% and 5·0% levels in broiler rations and at 4%, 8% and 12% in laying hen diets as a substitute for soyabean meal, meat meal and ground limestone. In the broiler trials, body weight gains, feed consumption and feed efficiency were comparable for birds on all diets. The optimal inclusion level of PHW in broiler rations is around 2·5%. In the laying hens trial, body weights, egg production rates, feed consumption and efficiency, and egg size were not adversely affected by including PHW in diets.