Glossary > Feed Ingredients > POULTRY BY-PRODUCTS

Poultry by-products of slaughter - such as feet, head and undeveloped eggs - can be processed in the same way as other slaughterhouse waste if the quantities are large enough. Gizzards and intestines can be used as well if the contents are removed. The dry- rendering method is usually preferred for processing poultry by- products.

Poultry tankage and meat meal are about equal in value to the same by-products from larger animals. They can be used as the only protein component in growing and finishing rations for swine with good results. Poultry by-product meal is remarkably rich in the vitamin choline and is often included up to 5% in poultry diets.

Poultry byproducts are primarily used by the pet food industry.

They appear to be excellent protein and lipid sources containing:
· 69 percent crude protein,
· 10-21 percent lipid
· and about 10 percent ash.

Poultry by-products are lower in lysine than fishmeal, and trout diets containing over 75 percent poultry by-products would be deficient in the amino acid.