Effect of feeding processed poultry hatchery waste on the performance of Vanaraja chicks

To study the effect of feeding cooked poultry hatchery waste (PHW) on the growth performance 120 (2 wk) Vanaraja chicks were randomly distributed in to 4 equal groups with 3 replicates and fed on diets prepared by inclusion 0, 2, 4 and 8 percent hatchery waste by replacing 0, 25, 50 and 100 percent fish meal of the control diet. The PHW was cooked at 120 lb for 30 min., dried in hot air oven and analysed for proximate composition.

Higher value for crude protein and calcium contents were recorded in present study compared to those reported by earlier workers. Results on performance study indicated significant (P<0.01) increase in body weight gain due to incorporation of processed hatchery waste at all the levels in the diet of chicks at 7 week of age by replacing fish meal at 0, 25, 50 and 100% levels. Significant (P<0.01) improvements in feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and performance index in chicks were observed due to feeding of PHW at all the levels. Maximum net profit was recorded due to feeding of 8% PHW. It is suggested that inclusion of processed poultry hatchery waste at 8% by replacing fish meal in the diet of Vanaraja chicks is beneficial in terms of improved growth, feed efficiency and profit margin.