Effect of inclusion of hatchery discarded infertile egg meal with shell on In vitro digestibility of puppy food

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of inclusion of infertile egg meal with shell obtained from the hatchery on in vitro digestibility of commercial puppy food. The infertile egg meal obtained from the GADVASU hatchery was first broken in a tray along with shell and dried in a hot air oven at 65°C for 48 hours and then grinded to form infertile egg meal with shell (IEMS). The IEMS was subsequently analysed for microbiological examination and in vitro digestibility of puppy food at graded inclusion level of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%. The chemical analysis of the IEMS revealed that the DM, CP, EE, CF, TA, AIA, Ca and P was 35.5, 33.2, 26.5, 0.1, 20.5, 0.1, 9.1 and 1.13 %,respectively. The microbiological examination revealed that IEMS samples were negative for Salmonella and E. coli bacteria, while the total viable count was 2060 CFU at 1:10 dilution which subsequently become nil in further dilution and thus the bacterial contamination of IEMS was negligible. Results revealed that the in vitro digestibility of dry matter was significantly (P<0.05) highest in commercial puppy food (87.3 %) and 2.50 % level of IEMS (86.1%) and was significantly (P<0.05) lowest at 10% level of IEMS (82.94%). The in vitro organic matter digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in commercial puppy food (88.4%) and 2.5% IEMS level (87.4%) as compared to 7.5 % (84.8%) and 10 % (84.0%) level of inclusion of IEMS however, it was comparable with 5% level of IEMS inclusion. The ether extract digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) highest in 2.5% level of IEMS (97.0%) and significantly (P<0.05) lowest in commercial puppy feed (91.9%). The crude protein digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the commercial puppy food, 2.5 %, 5 % and 7.5 % level of IEMS as compared to 10% level of IEMS. It was concluded that IEMS is a good source of alternative protein and can be included at 2.5 and 5 % level in the diet of Labrador puppy food.