Utilization and Disposal of Poultry Byproducts and Wastes

Excerpts from the report: Unavoidable problems of byproduct and waste disposal have plagued the poultry slaughtering industry for many years. The problems have become more acute with development of large-scale commercial plants for poultry slaughter. Poultry byproducts and wastes accumulate at every slaughtering plant and must usually be removed daily. Recoverable inedible byproducts (blood, feathers, and offal) comprise up to 50 percent of the live weight of all poultry killed. These materials deteriorate rapidly, attract vermin, create offensive odors, and are unsightly. Their high moisture content and considerable bulk make handling difficult. Where poultry are fed, manure accumulates at the rate of about 2 pounds of excreta per pound of feed intake. Large volumes of waste water result from dressing and evisceration operations. The present necessity for daily removal and the objectionable characteristics of the byproducts limit opportunities for profitable disposal by most slaughterers. This study is a preliminary investigation of poultry byproduct utilization and related problems. It was designed to describe the nature and volume of byproducts and wastes from poultry slaughtering plants; to evaluate potentialities and limitations of existing uses of such byproducts; and to set forth needs for further research. This report is designed also to increase the interest and understanding of members of the poultry industry, poultry scientists, economists, and others in byproduct and waste disposal problems.