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Processed Feather and Hog Hair Meals as Sources of Dietary Protein for the Laying Hen with Emphasis on Their Use in Meeting Maintenance Needs
Processed Feather and Hog Hair Meals as Sources of Dietary Protein for the Laying Hen with Emphasis on Their Use in Meeting Maintenance Needs E. T. MORAN, JR., W. F. PEPPER AND J. D. SUMMERS Department of Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Received for publication January 10, 1969)
HOUGH processed keratin meals have beenshown to beof considerable value as protein source feedstuffs (Moran et al, 1966, 1967 a,b, 1968 a), their degree of use under practical circumstances is highly limited because of severe methionine and lysine inadequacies (Moran et al., 1968 b). While the growing and laying birds are both expected to suffer repercussions as a result of excessive keratin meal use, it is entirely possible that these protein sources may be put to more extensive use with the hen than the chick or broiler. The rationale behind this expectation lies in the proportion of the feed consumed which is used for maintenance. The laying bird because of its larger absolute body size and normally lower rate of net nitrogen accumulation (body tissue plus egg formation) will have a greater amount of its feed devoted to body care than the rapidly growing broiler. Due to the fact that maintenance in the chicken is primarily concerned with synthesis of feather keratin (Leveille et al., 1960) and keratin feed meals have an amino acid pattern nearly perfect to meet this need, it appeared plausible that these processed meals might be used to a greater extent with the laying bird. Thus, it was the purpose of the present investigation to determine how effective the commercially available feather and hog hair meals were in fulfilling the protein (essential amino acid) demands of the hen when dietary use was extensive.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND RESULTS
To examine the effectiveness of processed feathers and hog hair as protein sources for the laying hen, 5% keratin protein with and without added methionine was supplemented to a 10% protein cornsoybean meal basal ration. Although this same level of protein was also used to test utilization in similar chick rations (Moran et al., 1966, 1967 a, 1968 a), it should be noted that in the present study the nitrogen from keratin meals comprised a considerably larger proportion of the total (5% protein of a 20% total was marginal for the chick while 5% of a 15% total is being tested with the hen). The changes in performance which resulted were compared to observations obtained when the same amount of soybean meal protein was used in place of keratin protein. The composition and calculated analyses of the experimental rations are shown on Table 1. Isocaloric conditions were maintained by manipulating the levels of tallow and glucose monohydrate. To assure that any changes in performance were solely due to the amount of protein added and its associated pattern of amino acids the ratio of protein from corn and soybean meal in the basal was maintained (5% protein from corn and 5% from soybean meal). The inclusion of a constant concentration of corn and the use of animal tallow presumably helped avoid possible confounding of egg weight
1245
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T
1246
E. T. MORAN, JR., W. F. PEPPER AND J. D. SUMMERS TABLE 1.—Composition of experimental diets, % Low protein basal-(-supplement Ingredient
+5% soybean protein
10.00 — —
20.00 — —
2.00 1.00
1.85 2.00
+5% feather protein 56.81 10.00 5.88 — 1.23 6.66 2.00 2.00 .to 100.00%
+2|% feather protein
+5% hog hair protein
10.00 2.99 —
10.00 — 5.88
2.00 1.50
2.00 2.00
Calculated analysis (NX6.25),% M.E., Kcal./kg. Ca, % Total P, % Amino acids3 Arginine Histidine Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Methionine Cystine Phenylalanine Tyrosine Threonine Tryptophan Valine
10.0 2,950 3.00 0.69
15.0 2,946 3.00 0.72
15.0 2,950 3.02 0.73
12.5 2,945 3.01 0.72
15.0 2,948 3.02 0.72
0.67 0.25 0.58 1.10 0.53 0.20 0.14 0.55 0.46 0.39 0.14 0.58
1.11 0.38 0.87 1.52 0.88 0.25 0.24 0.84 0.62 0.61 0.21 0.87
1.05 0.29 0.85 1.56 0.64 0.23 0.31 0.83 0.60 0.61 0.17 1.04
0.86 0.27 0.72 1.33 0.59 0.22 0.23 0.62 0.53 0.50 0.15 0.81
1.07 0.31 0.80 1.50 0.68 0.24 0.32 0.72 0.63 0.65 0.15 0.91
1
Based on the values of 85% protein and 2,300 Kcal./M.E./kg. for both keratin meals. Constant: Choline chloride (50%), 0.18; iodized salt, 0.30; Mineral mix, 0.25 (supplies mg./kg. complete diet: Mn, 53.0; Zn, 51.0; Cu, 8.4; and Fe, 20.3); and, vitamin mix, 0.50 (supplies/kg. complete ration: vit. A, 7,509 I.U.; vit. D 3 , 1,649 I.C.U.; riboflavin, 5.5 mg.; pantothenic acid, 5.7 mg.; niacin, 11.0 mg.; and vit. B 12 , 6.6 mg.). 3 In calculating the amino acids the values from Block and Weiss (1956) were used for corn and soybean meal while feather and hog hair meals utilized the analyses of Moran et al. (1967 b). 2
changes due to variations in linoleic acid (Shutze and Jensen, 1963). The experiment was started when the hens were 35 weeks of age and terminated after competion of three 28-day periods. At the end of each period feed consumption and average weight of 3 cumulative days egg collection were determined. Individual body weights were obtained at the beginning and end of the experiment. The effects the various protein and/or methionine supplements had on performance are illustrated on Table 2. Percentage egg production, average egg weight and daily feed consumption were signifi-
cantly increased by the addition of 0.15% DL-methionine to the basal ration and body weight increased as compared to a loss in body weight for the control group. Addition of 5% of soybean meal protein to the basal diet resulted in improvements of egg weight, feed consumption and body weight gain comparable to that witnessed when only methionine was supplemented; however, in this instance the rate of production was significantly better. Thus, the basal is not only first limiting and inadequate with respect to methionine but also deficient in protein per se. Upon addition of 5% of feather meal
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Corn Soybean meal (50% protein) Feather meal1 1 Hog hair meal Constant 2 Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Tallow Glucose monohydrate
Low protein basal
1247
F E A T H E R AND H O G H A I R M E A L S
TABLE 2.—The live performance of laying hens fed a low protein diet supplemented with processed keratin meal and/or methionine1 Treatment
10% protein corn-soybean meal +0.15% DL-methionine 4-5% soybean meal protein + 5 % feather meal protein + 5 % F.M. prot.+0.1% meth. +2.5% F.M. prot.+0.1% meth. + 5 % Hog hair meal protein + 5 % H.H. meal prot.+0.1% prol:.
Production (H.D.B.) % 63.4 68.8 78.8 70.7 76.3 69.4 70.5 76.6
c' b a b a b b a
v gg E
Feed consumption
wrt t
/egg g54.1 56.6 56.8 53.6 57.5 56.7 54.0 56.9
g.
b» a a b a a b a
147.4 147.5 130.2 134.8 137.6 143.5 137.3 133.9
/g. egg a3 a d cd be ab be cd
/hen/day
Body wt.!
g.
g-
g.
2.73 + 0.07« 2.61 + 0.03 2.29 + 0.09 2.51±0.06 2.40+0.04 2.53±0.05 2.56±0.04 2.36±0.04
93.0 b' 101.3 a 101.9a 94.8 b 103.0 a 99.3 a 93.1 b 101.0 a
-52+17< +29 ± 9 +35+14 -36+15 +95+37 +68 ±28 -46±12 +107+13
All data represent the average of 6 replicate groups of 11 birds/group with each bird in an 8* individual hanging cage. The total average starting weight was 1,706± 31 g. Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% level of significance (Duncan, 1955) in a completely randomized design (Federer, 1955). Those figures without a common letter are significantly different from each other while those with a common letter are not. 4 Standard error.
protein to the basal diet there were increases in production and feed utilization; however, egg weight as well as feed consumption remained low and a reduction in body weight was observed. T h e fact t h a t the rate of production increased even though the feather meal contributed b u t negligible quantities of methionine can in all probability be related to the extensive amounts of cystine in this product. When 0 . 1 % DL-methionine was added to this same feather meal diet, all parameters measured were increased to the point where they equalled and in the case of weight gain surpassed t h a t observed with birds fed the soybean meal protein supplemented diet. Upon removing half of the added feather meal protein b u t leaving the methionine to insure dietary adequacy there were reductions in the rate of lay, efficiency of egg formation and body weight gain while egg weight and daily feed consumption appeared unaffected. T h e observation t h a t reductions in efficiency of egg formation and body weight change approximated values mid-point between what was noted for hens fed the methionine adequate basal and those offered the similar 5 % feather keratin protein methionine supplemented diet indicated t h a t the total dietary level of 12.5% protein was inadequate for maximal performance even though the essential amino
acid concentrations were considerably more than necessary to meet calculated demands at 9 0 % production (Moran et al., 1967 c). T h e results obtained when processed hog hair protein was added to the basal essentially paralleled t h a t observed with birds fed the 5 % feather meal protein supplemented ration. Likewise, when methionine was included in the diet substantial improvements in performance at least equal to and again superior with respect to body weight gain were noted with hens offered the 5 % soybean meal protein supplemented ration. T h u s , under the present experimental conditions, processed keratin meal protein from either feather or hog hair sources can in the presence of added methionine result in laying hen performance at least as good as t h a t supported by a comparable level of soybean meal protein. Particularly outstanding in the present study was the observation that when 5 % protein from either of the two keratin meals was added to the basal diet, a substantial improvement in production and conversion of feed to eggs was noted while body mass decreased and daily feed consumption as well as egg weight remained low and unchanged. T h e calculated concentrations of essential amino acids illustrated on Table 1 indicated t h a t the only
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1 2 3
1248
E. T. MORAN, JR., W. F. PEPPER AND J. D. SUMMERS
The same house and cage laying facilities which were employed in the first experiment were again used in this second investigation. In an effort to prevent the overall poorer than anticipated production that had been witnessed previously, records were kept from 28 to 30 weeks of age and those hens not in a reasonable
rate of lay were removed. As a consequence of this culling procedure, the number of birds represented in each replicate was reduced to eight. To assure equal representation by each treatment in production potential, all birds were subsequently fed the 15% protein methionine supplemented corn-soybean meal diet for a one month standardization period (30-34 weeks of age). Based on the replicate average egg weight and production, distribution was effected so that there were no statistically detectible differences between treatments at the start (see standardization period values, Table 3). Actual experimentation time comprised 3 separate 4-week periods (34-46 weeks of age). At the end of each period replicate feed consumption was ascertained while production and egg weights were recorded on a daily basis. Body weight was determined at the beginning of the standardization period, between periods, and at the end of the experimental period. The results of this second experiment are shown on Table 3. As anticipated from the calculated analysis on Table 1, supplementation of the 15% corn-soybean meal diet substantially improved all measured parameters of performance. Based on these results and the observation in the last experiment that the methionine supplemented keratin containing diets supported production no better than the 15% protein corn-soybean meal ration without benefit of this sulfur amino acid, it would suggest that the keratin proteins are not, under the present dietary circumstance, equally as effective as soybean protein. However, it should be noted that these hens in the first experiment were judged not capable of eliciting a better rate of production; furthermore, the body weight gain of those hens offered either of the methionine adequate high keratin containing rations was considerably great-
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noteworthy differences which existed between the soybean and keratin protein supplemented rations were with respect to the sulfur containing units. Both type diets contained suboptimal and near comparable amounts of methionine (0.23 vs. 0.25%); however, the cystine concentration was above that estimated necessary substantially different (0.24 vs. 0.32%). To ascertain if the relationship and levels of both methionine and cystine which resulted from the dietary inclusion of keratin protein were implicated in the aforementioned observation, a second experiment was designed and carried out (see Table 3). The first 2 treatments corresponded to the basal ration plus 5% added soybean protein with and without supplemental methionine and were intended to act as positive controls. The 10% protein corn-soybean basal by itself was the negative control. Treatments 4 and 5 correspond to the basal plus added methionine (0.12%) and cystine (0.06%) to equal the requirements (0.32% and 0.20%, respectively) with and without added essential amino acids. This supplemental mixture in quantity and quality was dependent upon the deficit existing between the basal and needs of the 1.6 kg. hen at 90% production, laying a 62 g. egg and consuming 110 g. feed/day (Moran et al., 1967 c). The remaining 3 treatments simulated the conditions noted when the basal contained 5% added keratin protein plus none, intermediate (0.06%), and full (0.12%) amounts of supplemental methionine.
0.02
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.20
0.20
0.20
6
7
8
0.12
0.32
0.26
0.18
0.18
0.22
0.18
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.20
0.20
0.14
0.24
0.24
Cyst.
Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt.
+ + + +
Stand. Expt.
Stand. Expt.
Period
-
-
-
EAA3 Supplement
87.5 a 73.6 de
85.6 ab 69.4 de
86.8 a 61.5 f
86.8 a 64.7 ef
84.8 ab 65.0 ef
83.2 ab 44.9 g
84.8 ab 87.9 a
%
82.3 abc' 76.3 bed
Production (H.D.B.)
54.2 55.3
54.5 55.5
53.5 52.4
53.9 54.3
53.7 54.7
53.5 51.4
53.0 56.8
g 53.3 54.0
Egg
All data represents the average from 6 replicate groups of 8 birds/group with each bird in 8" individual hanging cages. For complete composition of these corn-soybean rations refer to Table 1. Essential amino acids calculated necessary to complete the 10% protein corn-soybean meal diet and meet the requirements of t suming 110 g. feed/day (Moran el al., 1967 c): DL-threonine, 0.16%; L-tryptophan, 0.01%; and, DL-valine, 0.05%. A The total average body weight at the beginning of the standardization period was 1737 ± 9 . The illustrated data indicate the cha experimental periods respectively. 6 Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% level of significance (Duncan, 1955). * Averagei standard error.
1 2 3
0.12
0.14
0.20
5
0.06
0.06
0.12
0.14
0.20
4
0.06
—
—
0.14
0.20
3
0.20
0.32
—
0.07
0.24
0.25
2
10%
0.25
-
-
0.24
0.25
15%
1
Meth.
Cyst.
Total
Meth.
Supplement
Cyst.
Basal
Meth.
Protein2 level
Treatment
Sulfur amino acid sources, % diet
Experimental design
TABLE 3.—The effect of dietary supplementation with cystine, methionine and a mix acids to a low protein basal diet on live performance of ti
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1250
E. T. M O R A N , J R . , W. F. P E P P E R AND J. D .
T h e concentration of both sulfur amino acids, as suspected, were major factors in the observed production changes when keratin proteins were added to the diet. Upon comparing T r e a t m e n t s 5 and 8 (Table 3) where the only dietary difference was the additional supplementation of 0.12% L-cystine to equal the concentration which was calculated when the keratin proteins were used, there was a no-
ticeable though not significant improved rate of production, a better utilization of feed in the formation of a unit weight of whole egg, a significantly increased feed consumption, and a reduction in the amount of body weight loss. With each of the aforementioned measurements the results were in favour of a higher cystine level and serve to indicate t h a t the requirement is considerably greater than calculated (Moran et al., 1967 c). This discrepancy in p a r t can be resolved by the fact t h a t the cystine values of Leveille et al. (1960) for "minimal maintenance level" instead of "maintenance requirem e n t " were used. T h e above investigators were unable to obtain the latter because the response using the nitrogen balance technique with the adult rooster was relatively insensitive to large graded amounts of either methionine or cystine. Reducing methionine concentration in the presence of the essential amino acid mixture and high keratin simulating cystine level to that encountered when feather and hog hair meal were the sole supplements substantially curtailed overall performance. N o t only was rate of lay, feed consumption, feed utilization, and body weight gain reduced but, contrary to t h a t observed with a cystine deficiency, so was egg weight. Based on the foregoing it is speculated t h a t the relatively high methionine and low cystine composition of the whole egg (Block and Boiling, 1951) and the low methionine high cystine needs of feather keratin synthesis (maintenance) are directly concerned in the observed differences in effect of the respective sulfur amino acid deficiencies, namely egg weight. SUMMARY T o test the relative effectiveness of feather and hog hair meals as sources of protein for the laying hen, a 10% protein
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er t h a n the birds fed the soybean meal protein supplemented basal even though b o t h their daily feed consumptions were very near equal. T h u s , it is most probable t h a t the 5 % protein added to the present methionine supplemented 1 0 % protein basal is just as effective whether it is in the form of processed keratin or soybean meal. T h e 1 0 % protein corn-soybean meal basal, as indicated by the severely reduced production, egg weight, feed consumption, and body weight, is wholly inadequate by itself for the hen at a high rate of lay. Supplementing this low protein basal diet with sulfer amino acids, resulted in substantially increasing overall performance similar to t h a t noted in the first experiment. Upon further addition of an amino acid mixture calculated necessary to complement the basal and support the maximally producing bird, there were no outstanding effects other than a reduction in the amount of body weight loss. If one considers t h a t threonine comprised the bulk of the supplement and this hydroxy amino acid is needed in relatively large quantities for maintenance (Leveille and Fisher, 1960) then, as intended, it is likely t h a t the mixture is acting in the same dietary manner as the keratin proteins did earlier by meeting a considerable portion of the hen's maintenance requirements. I n this instance, however, the unknown factor of supplement availability was completely avoided.
SUMMERS
FEATHER AND HOG HAIR MEALS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was supported in part by an Operating Grant (A-4945) from the National Research Council of Canada. Facilities and services were provided by the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. REFERENCES Block, R. J., and D. Boiling, 1951. The Amino Acid Composition of Proteins and Foods. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. Block, R. J., and K. W. Weiss, 1956. Amino Acid Handbook. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. Duncan, D. B., 1955. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics, 11: 1-42. Federer, W. T., 1955. Experimental Design. The Macmillan Co., New York, N. Y.
Leveille, G. A., and H. Fisher, 1960. Amino acid requirement for maintenance in the adult rooster III. The requirement for leucine, isoleucine, valine, and threonine, with reference also to the utilization of the D-isomers of valine, threonine and isoleucine. J. Nutrition, 70: 135-140. Leveille, G. A., R. Shapiro and H. Fisher, 1960. Amino acid requirements for maintenance in the adult rooster IV. The requirements for methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; the adequacy of the determined requirements. J. Nutrition, 72: 8-15. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and S. J. Slinger, 1966. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick I. Amino acid imbalance as the cause for inferior performance of feather meal and the implication of disulfide bonding in raw feathers as the reason for digestibility. Poultry Sci. 45: 1257-1266. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and S. J. Slinger, 1967 a. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 2. Hog hair, a valuable sources of protein with appropriate processing and amino acid balance. Poultry Sci. 46: 456-465. Moran, E. T., Jr., H. S. Bayley and J. D. Summers, 1967 b. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 3. The metabolizable energy amino acid composition of raw and processed hog hair meal with emphasis on cystine destruction with autoclaving. Poultry Sci. 46: 548-553. Moran, E. T., Jr., and J. D. Summers, 1968 a. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 4. Processing of tannery by-product cattle hair into a nutritionally available high protein meal: metabolizable energy, amino acid composition and utilization in practical diets by the chick. Poultry Sci. 47: 570-576. Moran, E. T., Jr., and J. D. Summers, 1968 b. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 5. Practical application of feather and hog hair meal in broiler diets: effects on growth, feed utilization and carcass quality. Poultry Sci. 47: 940-945. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and W. F. Pepper, 1967 c. Effect of nonprotein nitrogen supplementation of low protein rations on laying hen performance with a note on essential amino acid requirements. Poultry Sci. 46: 1134-1144. Shutze, J. V., and L. S. Jensen, 1963. Influence of linloleic acid on egg weight. Poultry Sci. 42: 921-924.
OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1. WESTERN POULTRY CONGRESS, FRESNO COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.
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basal (5% protein from soybean meal and 5% protein from corn) was employed. Though this basal when supplemented with methionine was known capable of supplying the estimated minimal essential amino acids needs of the laying hen, it was unable to support maximal performance. By adding 5% protein from feather and hog hair meals it was found that several of the measured parameters of performance were improved but that supplemental methionine was necessary for maximal production and egg weight. In a second experiment, an investigation on the effect the respective sulfur amino acids, at levels supplied by the keratin meals, had on performance was carried out. Based on these results it was revealed that the calculated requirement for cystine had been substantially underestimated. The observation that egg weight was reduced with a methionine but not a cystine inadequacy was related back to the basic needs of feather (maintenance) and whole egg protein synthesis.
1251
HOUGH processed keratin meals have beenshown to beof considerable value as protein source feedstuffs (Moran et al, 1966, 1967 a,b, 1968 a), their degree of use under practical circumstances is highly limited because of severe methionine and lysine inadequacies (Moran et al., 1968 b). While the growing and laying birds are both expected to suffer repercussions as a result of excessive keratin meal use, it is entirely possible that these protein sources may be put to more extensive use with the hen than the chick or broiler. The rationale behind this expectation lies in the proportion of the feed consumed which is used for maintenance. The laying bird because of its larger absolute body size and normally lower rate of net nitrogen accumulation (body tissue plus egg formation) will have a greater amount of its feed devoted to body care than the rapidly growing broiler. Due to the fact that maintenance in the chicken is primarily concerned with synthesis of feather keratin (Leveille et al., 1960) and keratin feed meals have an amino acid pattern nearly perfect to meet this need, it appeared plausible that these processed meals might be used to a greater extent with the laying bird. Thus, it was the purpose of the present investigation to determine how effective the commercially available feather and hog hair meals were in fulfilling the protein (essential amino acid) demands of the hen when dietary use was extensive.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND RESULTS
To examine the effectiveness of processed feathers and hog hair as protein sources for the laying hen, 5% keratin protein with and without added methionine was supplemented to a 10% protein cornsoybean meal basal ration. Although this same level of protein was also used to test utilization in similar chick rations (Moran et al., 1966, 1967 a, 1968 a), it should be noted that in the present study the nitrogen from keratin meals comprised a considerably larger proportion of the total (5% protein of a 20% total was marginal for the chick while 5% of a 15% total is being tested with the hen). The changes in performance which resulted were compared to observations obtained when the same amount of soybean meal protein was used in place of keratin protein. The composition and calculated analyses of the experimental rations are shown on Table 1. Isocaloric conditions were maintained by manipulating the levels of tallow and glucose monohydrate. To assure that any changes in performance were solely due to the amount of protein added and its associated pattern of amino acids the ratio of protein from corn and soybean meal in the basal was maintained (5% protein from corn and 5% from soybean meal). The inclusion of a constant concentration of corn and the use of animal tallow presumably helped avoid possible confounding of egg weight
1245
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T
1246
E. T. MORAN, JR., W. F. PEPPER AND J. D. SUMMERS TABLE 1.—Composition of experimental diets, % Low protein basal-(-supplement Ingredient
+5% soybean protein
10.00 — —
20.00 — —
2.00 1.00
1.85 2.00
+5% feather protein 56.81 10.00 5.88 — 1.23 6.66 2.00 2.00 .to 100.00%
+2|% feather protein
+5% hog hair protein
10.00 2.99 —
10.00 — 5.88
2.00 1.50
2.00 2.00
Calculated analysis (NX6.25),% M.E., Kcal./kg. Ca, % Total P, % Amino acids3 Arginine Histidine Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Methionine Cystine Phenylalanine Tyrosine Threonine Tryptophan Valine
10.0 2,950 3.00 0.69
15.0 2,946 3.00 0.72
15.0 2,950 3.02 0.73
12.5 2,945 3.01 0.72
15.0 2,948 3.02 0.72
0.67 0.25 0.58 1.10 0.53 0.20 0.14 0.55 0.46 0.39 0.14 0.58
1.11 0.38 0.87 1.52 0.88 0.25 0.24 0.84 0.62 0.61 0.21 0.87
1.05 0.29 0.85 1.56 0.64 0.23 0.31 0.83 0.60 0.61 0.17 1.04
0.86 0.27 0.72 1.33 0.59 0.22 0.23 0.62 0.53 0.50 0.15 0.81
1.07 0.31 0.80 1.50 0.68 0.24 0.32 0.72 0.63 0.65 0.15 0.91
1
Based on the values of 85% protein and 2,300 Kcal./M.E./kg. for both keratin meals. Constant: Choline chloride (50%), 0.18; iodized salt, 0.30; Mineral mix, 0.25 (supplies mg./kg. complete diet: Mn, 53.0; Zn, 51.0; Cu, 8.4; and Fe, 20.3); and, vitamin mix, 0.50 (supplies/kg. complete ration: vit. A, 7,509 I.U.; vit. D 3 , 1,649 I.C.U.; riboflavin, 5.5 mg.; pantothenic acid, 5.7 mg.; niacin, 11.0 mg.; and vit. B 12 , 6.6 mg.). 3 In calculating the amino acids the values from Block and Weiss (1956) were used for corn and soybean meal while feather and hog hair meals utilized the analyses of Moran et al. (1967 b). 2
changes due to variations in linoleic acid (Shutze and Jensen, 1963). The experiment was started when the hens were 35 weeks of age and terminated after competion of three 28-day periods. At the end of each period feed consumption and average weight of 3 cumulative days egg collection were determined. Individual body weights were obtained at the beginning and end of the experiment. The effects the various protein and/or methionine supplements had on performance are illustrated on Table 2. Percentage egg production, average egg weight and daily feed consumption were signifi-
cantly increased by the addition of 0.15% DL-methionine to the basal ration and body weight increased as compared to a loss in body weight for the control group. Addition of 5% of soybean meal protein to the basal diet resulted in improvements of egg weight, feed consumption and body weight gain comparable to that witnessed when only methionine was supplemented; however, in this instance the rate of production was significantly better. Thus, the basal is not only first limiting and inadequate with respect to methionine but also deficient in protein per se. Upon addition of 5% of feather meal
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Corn Soybean meal (50% protein) Feather meal1 1 Hog hair meal Constant 2 Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Tallow Glucose monohydrate
Low protein basal
1247
F E A T H E R AND H O G H A I R M E A L S
TABLE 2.—The live performance of laying hens fed a low protein diet supplemented with processed keratin meal and/or methionine1 Treatment
10% protein corn-soybean meal +0.15% DL-methionine 4-5% soybean meal protein + 5 % feather meal protein + 5 % F.M. prot.+0.1% meth. +2.5% F.M. prot.+0.1% meth. + 5 % Hog hair meal protein + 5 % H.H. meal prot.+0.1% prol:.
Production (H.D.B.) % 63.4 68.8 78.8 70.7 76.3 69.4 70.5 76.6
c' b a b a b b a
v gg E
Feed consumption
wrt t
/egg g54.1 56.6 56.8 53.6 57.5 56.7 54.0 56.9
g.
b» a a b a a b a
147.4 147.5 130.2 134.8 137.6 143.5 137.3 133.9
/g. egg a3 a d cd be ab be cd
/hen/day
Body wt.!
g.
g-
g.
2.73 + 0.07« 2.61 + 0.03 2.29 + 0.09 2.51±0.06 2.40+0.04 2.53±0.05 2.56±0.04 2.36±0.04
93.0 b' 101.3 a 101.9a 94.8 b 103.0 a 99.3 a 93.1 b 101.0 a
-52+17< +29 ± 9 +35+14 -36+15 +95+37 +68 ±28 -46±12 +107+13
All data represent the average of 6 replicate groups of 11 birds/group with each bird in an 8* individual hanging cage. The total average starting weight was 1,706± 31 g. Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% level of significance (Duncan, 1955) in a completely randomized design (Federer, 1955). Those figures without a common letter are significantly different from each other while those with a common letter are not. 4 Standard error.
protein to the basal diet there were increases in production and feed utilization; however, egg weight as well as feed consumption remained low and a reduction in body weight was observed. T h e fact t h a t the rate of production increased even though the feather meal contributed b u t negligible quantities of methionine can in all probability be related to the extensive amounts of cystine in this product. When 0 . 1 % DL-methionine was added to this same feather meal diet, all parameters measured were increased to the point where they equalled and in the case of weight gain surpassed t h a t observed with birds fed the soybean meal protein supplemented diet. Upon removing half of the added feather meal protein b u t leaving the methionine to insure dietary adequacy there were reductions in the rate of lay, efficiency of egg formation and body weight gain while egg weight and daily feed consumption appeared unaffected. T h e observation t h a t reductions in efficiency of egg formation and body weight change approximated values mid-point between what was noted for hens fed the methionine adequate basal and those offered the similar 5 % feather keratin protein methionine supplemented diet indicated t h a t the total dietary level of 12.5% protein was inadequate for maximal performance even though the essential amino
acid concentrations were considerably more than necessary to meet calculated demands at 9 0 % production (Moran et al., 1967 c). T h e results obtained when processed hog hair protein was added to the basal essentially paralleled t h a t observed with birds fed the 5 % feather meal protein supplemented ration. Likewise, when methionine was included in the diet substantial improvements in performance at least equal to and again superior with respect to body weight gain were noted with hens offered the 5 % soybean meal protein supplemented ration. T h u s , under the present experimental conditions, processed keratin meal protein from either feather or hog hair sources can in the presence of added methionine result in laying hen performance at least as good as t h a t supported by a comparable level of soybean meal protein. Particularly outstanding in the present study was the observation that when 5 % protein from either of the two keratin meals was added to the basal diet, a substantial improvement in production and conversion of feed to eggs was noted while body mass decreased and daily feed consumption as well as egg weight remained low and unchanged. T h e calculated concentrations of essential amino acids illustrated on Table 1 indicated t h a t the only
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1 2 3
1248
E. T. MORAN, JR., W. F. PEPPER AND J. D. SUMMERS
The same house and cage laying facilities which were employed in the first experiment were again used in this second investigation. In an effort to prevent the overall poorer than anticipated production that had been witnessed previously, records were kept from 28 to 30 weeks of age and those hens not in a reasonable
rate of lay were removed. As a consequence of this culling procedure, the number of birds represented in each replicate was reduced to eight. To assure equal representation by each treatment in production potential, all birds were subsequently fed the 15% protein methionine supplemented corn-soybean meal diet for a one month standardization period (30-34 weeks of age). Based on the replicate average egg weight and production, distribution was effected so that there were no statistically detectible differences between treatments at the start (see standardization period values, Table 3). Actual experimentation time comprised 3 separate 4-week periods (34-46 weeks of age). At the end of each period replicate feed consumption was ascertained while production and egg weights were recorded on a daily basis. Body weight was determined at the beginning of the standardization period, between periods, and at the end of the experimental period. The results of this second experiment are shown on Table 3. As anticipated from the calculated analysis on Table 1, supplementation of the 15% corn-soybean meal diet substantially improved all measured parameters of performance. Based on these results and the observation in the last experiment that the methionine supplemented keratin containing diets supported production no better than the 15% protein corn-soybean meal ration without benefit of this sulfur amino acid, it would suggest that the keratin proteins are not, under the present dietary circumstance, equally as effective as soybean protein. However, it should be noted that these hens in the first experiment were judged not capable of eliciting a better rate of production; furthermore, the body weight gain of those hens offered either of the methionine adequate high keratin containing rations was considerably great-
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noteworthy differences which existed between the soybean and keratin protein supplemented rations were with respect to the sulfur containing units. Both type diets contained suboptimal and near comparable amounts of methionine (0.23 vs. 0.25%); however, the cystine concentration was above that estimated necessary substantially different (0.24 vs. 0.32%). To ascertain if the relationship and levels of both methionine and cystine which resulted from the dietary inclusion of keratin protein were implicated in the aforementioned observation, a second experiment was designed and carried out (see Table 3). The first 2 treatments corresponded to the basal ration plus 5% added soybean protein with and without supplemental methionine and were intended to act as positive controls. The 10% protein corn-soybean basal by itself was the negative control. Treatments 4 and 5 correspond to the basal plus added methionine (0.12%) and cystine (0.06%) to equal the requirements (0.32% and 0.20%, respectively) with and without added essential amino acids. This supplemental mixture in quantity and quality was dependent upon the deficit existing between the basal and needs of the 1.6 kg. hen at 90% production, laying a 62 g. egg and consuming 110 g. feed/day (Moran et al., 1967 c). The remaining 3 treatments simulated the conditions noted when the basal contained 5% added keratin protein plus none, intermediate (0.06%), and full (0.12%) amounts of supplemental methionine.
0.02
0.14
0.14
0.14
0.20
0.20
0.20
6
7
8
0.12
0.32
0.26
0.18
0.18
0.22
0.18
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.20
0.20
0.14
0.24
0.24
Cyst.
Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt. Stand. Expt.
+ + + +
Stand. Expt.
Stand. Expt.
Period
-
-
-
EAA3 Supplement
87.5 a 73.6 de
85.6 ab 69.4 de
86.8 a 61.5 f
86.8 a 64.7 ef
84.8 ab 65.0 ef
83.2 ab 44.9 g
84.8 ab 87.9 a
%
82.3 abc' 76.3 bed
Production (H.D.B.)
54.2 55.3
54.5 55.5
53.5 52.4
53.9 54.3
53.7 54.7
53.5 51.4
53.0 56.8
g 53.3 54.0
Egg
All data represents the average from 6 replicate groups of 8 birds/group with each bird in 8" individual hanging cages. For complete composition of these corn-soybean rations refer to Table 1. Essential amino acids calculated necessary to complete the 10% protein corn-soybean meal diet and meet the requirements of t suming 110 g. feed/day (Moran el al., 1967 c): DL-threonine, 0.16%; L-tryptophan, 0.01%; and, DL-valine, 0.05%. A The total average body weight at the beginning of the standardization period was 1737 ± 9 . The illustrated data indicate the cha experimental periods respectively. 6 Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% level of significance (Duncan, 1955). * Averagei standard error.
1 2 3
0.12
0.14
0.20
5
0.06
0.06
0.12
0.14
0.20
4
0.06
—
—
0.14
0.20
3
0.20
0.32
—
0.07
0.24
0.25
2
10%
0.25
-
-
0.24
0.25
15%
1
Meth.
Cyst.
Total
Meth.
Supplement
Cyst.
Basal
Meth.
Protein2 level
Treatment
Sulfur amino acid sources, % diet
Experimental design
TABLE 3.—The effect of dietary supplementation with cystine, methionine and a mix acids to a low protein basal diet on live performance of ti
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1250
E. T. M O R A N , J R . , W. F. P E P P E R AND J. D .
T h e concentration of both sulfur amino acids, as suspected, were major factors in the observed production changes when keratin proteins were added to the diet. Upon comparing T r e a t m e n t s 5 and 8 (Table 3) where the only dietary difference was the additional supplementation of 0.12% L-cystine to equal the concentration which was calculated when the keratin proteins were used, there was a no-
ticeable though not significant improved rate of production, a better utilization of feed in the formation of a unit weight of whole egg, a significantly increased feed consumption, and a reduction in the amount of body weight loss. With each of the aforementioned measurements the results were in favour of a higher cystine level and serve to indicate t h a t the requirement is considerably greater than calculated (Moran et al., 1967 c). This discrepancy in p a r t can be resolved by the fact t h a t the cystine values of Leveille et al. (1960) for "minimal maintenance level" instead of "maintenance requirem e n t " were used. T h e above investigators were unable to obtain the latter because the response using the nitrogen balance technique with the adult rooster was relatively insensitive to large graded amounts of either methionine or cystine. Reducing methionine concentration in the presence of the essential amino acid mixture and high keratin simulating cystine level to that encountered when feather and hog hair meal were the sole supplements substantially curtailed overall performance. N o t only was rate of lay, feed consumption, feed utilization, and body weight gain reduced but, contrary to t h a t observed with a cystine deficiency, so was egg weight. Based on the foregoing it is speculated t h a t the relatively high methionine and low cystine composition of the whole egg (Block and Boiling, 1951) and the low methionine high cystine needs of feather keratin synthesis (maintenance) are directly concerned in the observed differences in effect of the respective sulfur amino acid deficiencies, namely egg weight. SUMMARY T o test the relative effectiveness of feather and hog hair meals as sources of protein for the laying hen, a 10% protein
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er t h a n the birds fed the soybean meal protein supplemented basal even though b o t h their daily feed consumptions were very near equal. T h u s , it is most probable t h a t the 5 % protein added to the present methionine supplemented 1 0 % protein basal is just as effective whether it is in the form of processed keratin or soybean meal. T h e 1 0 % protein corn-soybean meal basal, as indicated by the severely reduced production, egg weight, feed consumption, and body weight, is wholly inadequate by itself for the hen at a high rate of lay. Supplementing this low protein basal diet with sulfer amino acids, resulted in substantially increasing overall performance similar to t h a t noted in the first experiment. Upon further addition of an amino acid mixture calculated necessary to complement the basal and support the maximally producing bird, there were no outstanding effects other than a reduction in the amount of body weight loss. If one considers t h a t threonine comprised the bulk of the supplement and this hydroxy amino acid is needed in relatively large quantities for maintenance (Leveille and Fisher, 1960) then, as intended, it is likely t h a t the mixture is acting in the same dietary manner as the keratin proteins did earlier by meeting a considerable portion of the hen's maintenance requirements. I n this instance, however, the unknown factor of supplement availability was completely avoided.
SUMMERS
FEATHER AND HOG HAIR MEALS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was supported in part by an Operating Grant (A-4945) from the National Research Council of Canada. Facilities and services were provided by the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. REFERENCES Block, R. J., and D. Boiling, 1951. The Amino Acid Composition of Proteins and Foods. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. Block, R. J., and K. W. Weiss, 1956. Amino Acid Handbook. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. Duncan, D. B., 1955. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics, 11: 1-42. Federer, W. T., 1955. Experimental Design. The Macmillan Co., New York, N. Y.
Leveille, G. A., and H. Fisher, 1960. Amino acid requirement for maintenance in the adult rooster III. The requirement for leucine, isoleucine, valine, and threonine, with reference also to the utilization of the D-isomers of valine, threonine and isoleucine. J. Nutrition, 70: 135-140. Leveille, G. A., R. Shapiro and H. Fisher, 1960. Amino acid requirements for maintenance in the adult rooster IV. The requirements for methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; the adequacy of the determined requirements. J. Nutrition, 72: 8-15. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and S. J. Slinger, 1966. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick I. Amino acid imbalance as the cause for inferior performance of feather meal and the implication of disulfide bonding in raw feathers as the reason for digestibility. Poultry Sci. 45: 1257-1266. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and S. J. Slinger, 1967 a. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 2. Hog hair, a valuable sources of protein with appropriate processing and amino acid balance. Poultry Sci. 46: 456-465. Moran, E. T., Jr., H. S. Bayley and J. D. Summers, 1967 b. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 3. The metabolizable energy amino acid composition of raw and processed hog hair meal with emphasis on cystine destruction with autoclaving. Poultry Sci. 46: 548-553. Moran, E. T., Jr., and J. D. Summers, 1968 a. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 4. Processing of tannery by-product cattle hair into a nutritionally available high protein meal: metabolizable energy, amino acid composition and utilization in practical diets by the chick. Poultry Sci. 47: 570-576. Moran, E. T., Jr., and J. D. Summers, 1968 b. Keratins as sources of protein for the growing chick 5. Practical application of feather and hog hair meal in broiler diets: effects on growth, feed utilization and carcass quality. Poultry Sci. 47: 940-945. Moran, E. T., Jr., J. D. Summers and W. F. Pepper, 1967 c. Effect of nonprotein nitrogen supplementation of low protein rations on laying hen performance with a note on essential amino acid requirements. Poultry Sci. 46: 1134-1144. Shutze, J. V., and L. S. Jensen, 1963. Influence of linloleic acid on egg weight. Poultry Sci. 42: 921-924.
OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 1. WESTERN POULTRY CONGRESS, FRESNO COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTER, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.
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basal (5% protein from soybean meal and 5% protein from corn) was employed. Though this basal when supplemented with methionine was known capable of supplying the estimated minimal essential amino acids needs of the laying hen, it was unable to support maximal performance. By adding 5% protein from feather and hog hair meals it was found that several of the measured parameters of performance were improved but that supplemental methionine was necessary for maximal production and egg weight. In a second experiment, an investigation on the effect the respective sulfur amino acids, at levels supplied by the keratin meals, had on performance was carried out. Based on these results it was revealed that the calculated requirement for cystine had been substantially underestimated. The observation that egg weight was reduced with a methionine but not a cystine inadequacy was related back to the basic needs of feather (maintenance) and whole egg protein synthesis.
1251