Abstract
Heifers (756 lb, 312 head) were used in a finishing study to evaluate the effects of peroxide-treated feather meal on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Diets contained 3.0% of peroxide-treated or untreated feather meal, and were fed ad libitum. Treatment of feather meal with hydrogen peroxide increased in situ protein degradabilities by 56%, but did not significantly alter feed intake or feed efficiencies. Although not statistically different, gains were 2.1% greater for heifers fed peroxide-treated feather meal. Hot carcass weights also averaged 6 pounds heavier for heifers fed diets containing peroxide-treated feather meal. Marbling tended to be lower, but carcasses grading USDA Choice tended to be higher for heifers fed diets containing peroxidetreated feather meal.
Highlights
Supplementation of high-grain diets with rumen-degradable, true protein can improve performance of finishing cattle, whereas adding ruminal escape protein is generally ineffective
Heifers (756 lb, 312 head) were used in a finishing study to evaluate the effects of peroxide-treated feather meal on animal performance and carcass characteristics
Treatment of feather meal with hydrogen peroxide increased in situ protein degradabilities by 56%, but did not significantly alter feed intake or feed efficiencies
Summary
Supplementation of high-grain diets with rumen-degradable, true protein can improve performance of finishing cattle, whereas adding ruminal escape protein is generally ineffective. This suggests that the metabolizable protein supplied by the basal diet is adequate. Improved performance in response to rumen degradable, true protein supplementation is likely due to improvements in dietary energy utilization rather than to metabolizable protein supply. Because feather meal is high in ruminal escape protein (70%), our objective was to find if increasing its ruminal degradation would improve its value in finishing diets
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
