Studies on the Amino Acid and Vitamin Composition of Feather Meal

Abstract

Considerable interest has developed in the use of chicken feather meal as a potential source of protein for feed use. Binkley and Vasak (1950), and Mayer (1955) have described a method for the production of a friable feather meal in a dry-rendering type cooker. This type of process is now in general use for the production of feather meal, and samples of such material have been used by Wilder, Ostby and Gregory (1955) in experimental chick rations. These feeding tests have indicated that feather meal is a valuable supplement when used with meat and bone scrap in a practical type ration. Since the feather meal in itself did not appear to be a complete protein for feed use, it was of importance to determine its amino acid and vitamin composition. Analysis of feather protein was reported by Block (1939), and by Graham, Waitkoff and Hier (1949). These analyses were, however, …