The experiment was conducted with 72 Tropicbro broiler chicks from 7 to 56 days old. The chicks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups each having three replications. The number of birds in each replication was 8 (eight). Hydrolyzed feather meal was pur-chased from local market. Samples from all the ingredients were analysed in the Poultry Science Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, for the determination of dry matter, crude. protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen-free-extract and total ash (Table 1). Proximate analysis was done according to AOAC (1990). The birds were reared on rice husk littered floor. All mesh dry feed were supplied ad libitum throughout the experiment. Cold clean water was made available all the times. Feeders and waterers were cleaned daily. Light was given for 24 hours throughout out the experiment priod.
FM =Fish meal ; FEM = Feather meal
Embavit-B was added 250g per 100kg mixed feed. Each 2.5 kg of premix contained: Vitamin A, 12,500,000 IU; Vitamin D3' 2,500,000 IU; Vitamin E, 20g; Vitamin K3' 4g; Vitamin B2' 5g; Vitamin B6' 4g; Nicotinic acid, 40g; Pantothenic acid, 12.Sg; Vitamin B12' 12g; Folic acid, 0.8g; Biotin, 100mg; Cobalt, 0.4g; Copper, 109; Iron, 60g; Iodine, 0.4g; Manganese, 60g; Zinc, 50g; Selenium, 150 mg; DL-Methionine, 100g; Choline chloride, 300g; L-lysine, 60g.
During the experimental period, the environmental temperature (0C) and relative humidity (%) were recorded twice daily. The birds were vaccinated against Ranikhet and Gumboro diseases. The BCRDV was given first at the age of 3 days followed by booster dose on 18th day. Gumboro was given first at 7-days old while booster dose on 21st day. Initial and weekly body weight and feed intake were recorded throughout 8 weeks of age. Group feed consumption was recorded weekly. Mortality was recorded daily. After termination of the experiment, one male and one female bird from each group were selected at random for processing to record the dressing and edible meat yield. Blood loss, feather loss and giblet yield were also recorded.
Data collected and calculated for different variables were subjected to analysis of variance in accordance with the principles and procedures of a completely randomized design. Multiple comparisons were made where ANOVA showed a significant difference. All analysis were performed by using a MSTAT Statistical Package programme with the help of a microcomputer.