The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional content of chicken feather hydrolysate and its effect on Clarias sp. growth. We used tape yeast, papain, and bromelain to hydrolyse chicken feathers. An examination of proximate and amino acids was conducted after the hydrolysis process. The best hydrolysate product was subsequently utilized as a feed ingredient for fish. Fish feed was created using the Pearson’s square method (iso-protein). This study used a fully randomized design with four treatments and three replications (0, 10, 20, and 30%). In comparison to the other treatments, bromelain feather meal was shown to have higher quantities of crude protein and amino acids (lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, valine, and glycine). Bromelain break down and cut feather meal protein, which has a molecular weight of 5–20 kDa . The feeding of 10% bromelain chicken feather meal (P1) boosted the growth of catfish by improving feed efficiency, average daily growth, protein efficiency ratio, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, and survival rate. In P1, the value of the feed conversion ratio dropped in comparison to the control. Because it is more nutrient-dense and encourages fish growth, chicken feather meal can be used in reduce of fish meal in catfish feed.
There is currently an urgent need for substitute feed ingredients that can lessen the requirement for fishmeal. Feathers from chickens are an easy and affordable way to get components for feed. Furthermore, since chicken feathers are not an essential food for humans, there is no conflict of requirements. More than 60% of chicken feathers are made of protein. The high protein content of chicken feathers makes them suitable for use as fish feed. Unfortunately, the protein found in chicken feathers is called keratin. Chicken feathers must first be processed before being used as fee d ingredients.
Processing of chicken feathers can be done by hydrolysis using enzymes and yeast. Regarding using those enzymes and yeast to hydrolyse chicken feather meal for catfish diet, no information has been provided. This study will address the nutritional content and growth-promoting properties of catfish feed that incorporates hydrolysed feather meal. We conducted several analyses to check nutrition, protein size, amino acids, and its effect of Catfish sp. Growth. A fully randomized design (CRD) experiment with four treatments administered in triplicate was used to design this investigation. BCFM was used in place of P0, P1, P2, and P3 at doses of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. 30 fish per tank were used to raise the catfish fingerlings, which were 8 cm (4 g) in weight. The 50 x 50 x 60 cm fiberglass tanks have aeration installed. To maintain standard water quality (28.0 ± 1.0 ◦C, pH at 7.5 ± 0.4, dissolved oxygen at >5 mg/L, and total ammonia nitrogen at <0.1 mg/L), the fish were maintained for 42 days with 30% water exchange every two days. Research results show that feeding up to 10% chicken feathers can increase growth, nutrition, feed efficiency and reduce feed conversion rate.
The levels of ADG, SGR, PER, and RGR from P0 and P1 in this investigation did not differ substantially from one another. The growth of catfish fingerlings fed a 10% BCFM (P1) substitute showed the same results as feeding them 100% fishmeal. Each fish’s tolerance to the protein source had an impact on variation tolerance. In this study, catfish fingerlings fed 0–30% BCFM demonstrated good survival, with SR values above 75%.