Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding a diet supplemented with swine hair protein (SHP) on the nutrient digestibility of Korean native chickens and their egg production as well as on egg quality. In experiment 1, twenty roosters of the Hanhyup-3 strain were assigned to an individual cage to give 10 replicates per treatment (i.e., 0 and 10% of SHP), and the nutrient digestibility in response to the SHP supplementation was measured. In experiment 2, fifty-four layers of the Hy-Line strain were assigned to an individual cage to give 27 replicates per treatment (i.e., 0 and 10% of SHP), and egg production and egg quality were measured. In experiment 1, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found in the digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), and crude fiber in response to the diet supplemented with SHP. In experiment 2, although no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found with the dietary treatments, the 10% SHP supplemented diet decreased (p < 0.05) the feed intake of laying hens. However, the SHP supplemented diet did not affect (p > 0.05) the laying rate, egg weight and feed conversion ratio of those fed the diet. Eggshell thickness and yolk color decreased (p < 0.05); however, eggshell strength, eggshell color, albumen height and Haugh units increased (p < 0.05) by feeding layers a diet supplemented with SHP. In conclusion, the results suggest that 10% SHP supplemented in a poultry diet could be a useful protein source.