Feather Meal as a Source of Protein for Growing-Finishing Swine

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of substituting steam hydrolyzed feather meal for all or part of the soybean oil meal in a corn-soy ration. Three levels of feather meal were studied and the growth rate was found to be significantly influenced by the level fed. Pigs that received the ration containing 10% feather meal gained significantly slower than pigs fed any of the other rations. Daily gains were significantly lower for pigs fed 7.5% feather meal than for those fed the basal or 5% feather meal ration. Supplementation of the 7.5% feather meal ration with DL-lysine resulted in an improved rate of gain. No significant differences were obtained among the growth rates of pigs fed the basal, 5% feather meal or 7.5% feather meal plus lysine rations.