Growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens on diets containing Keratinase-treated and untreated feather meal-based diets

We evaluated the growth performance and meat quality parameters of broiler chickens fed keratinase-treated and untreated feather meal-based diets using Ross 308 chicks. Seven treatments were used: birds in treatment 1 were not given any feather meal-based diets. Treatment 2-4 birds were fed 8%, 16% and 24% untreated feather meal-based diets, while treatment 5-7 birds were fed 8%, 16% and 24% keratinase-treated feather meal-based diets. Performance parameters and cost-benefit analysis were carried out. The use of keratinase improved the ash and nitrogen-free extract contents of the feather meal. One-way analysis of variance revealed differences (P < 0.05) in the growth performance parameters, carcass characteristics and meat minerals with the exception of Phosphorus. Organoleptic parameters were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the treatments except appearance and flavour. Our study revealed that, feather meal-based diets could be used as a protein source in broiler chickens nutrition up to 24%.