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Abstract

ABSTRACT Hatchery wastes can potentially be used as highly nutritious, low-cost poultry feed ingredient if processed scientifically. The aim of present study was to examine the feeding value of extruded hatchery waste meal (HWM) and its influence on egg production and egg quality in laying hens. In the first study hatchery wastes were collected, oven dried (60 °C), grounded, and extruded for 30 seconds at 115-155 oC. After extrusion the nutrient profile of the hatchery waste was determined. In second study, 250single comb White Leg horn (Babcock) layers were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments, containing 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 % extruded HWM of the commercial laying hen ration. Each dietary treatment was replicated five times with 10 birds per replicate. Egg production was recorded and quality was determined using standard scientific protocols. Dietary treatments had no effect on egg production and egg quality except in group-D supplemented with 6% extruded HWM that had numerically higher egg production. These findings reflect that extruded HWM can be added in laying hen ration without compromising egg production performance and quality. However, further research is needed to assess higher inclusion of extruded HWM in laying at different stages of egg production.