Hydrolysed feather protein as a source of amino acids for laying hens

Abstract
1. The value of hydrolysed feather protein (HFM), included at 70 g/kg in a wheat‐based diet, as an amino acid source for laying hens was determined. 2. Egg production was reduced in hens fed on diets containing HFM owing to a deficiency in lysine, methionine and tryptophan. 3. Supplementation of the diet containing HFM with 3'0 g lysine (as L‐lysine HC1), 0.7g DL‐methionine and 0.5g L‐tryptophan per kilogram, resulted in a daily egg mass output similar to that achieved with a conventional layers’ diet.