Effect of Feeding Various Levels of Feather Meal as a Replacement of Fish Meal on the Growth of Broiler

The present study was carried out in a feeding trial of 42 days, 120 broiler chicks were reared at experimental station were divided into four groups, A, B, C and D for feeding iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric mash rations, having 0, 33, 67 and 100 % feather meal as replacement of fish meal. The average final live body weight of groups A, B, C and D was 2221.1, 2205, 2196.05 and 2187.15 grams per bird, respectively. The difference of live body weight between the groups was non-significant (P < 0.05). Results of feed and water consumption showed similar pattern. Average feed consumed was 3687, 3706, 3728 and 3744 grams per boiler for group A, B, C and D, respectively. Water consumption recorded per boiler was 9270, 9289, 9300 and 9316 ml of group A, B, C and D. The differences in average carcass weight and giblets weight were also non-significant (P < 0.05). Carcass weight of group A 1332 grams was heaviest followed by B, C and D, weighing 1322, 1314 and 1300 grams per broiler, respectively. There was no effect of feather meal feeding on broiler mortality. The average per broiler feeding cost of group A, B, C and D was Rs. 162.22, Rs. 159.35, Rs. 156.57 and Rs. 153.50, respectively. After marketing, net profit of Rs. 23.98, Rs. 26.14, Rs. 28.02 and Rs.30.20 per broiler was earned for group A, B, C and D, respectively. Broiler fed with 100% feather meal as replacement of fish meal proved to be most economically raised, without any negative effect on their performance.