Using tannery wastes in poultry feed: a matter of concern for safe poultry production in Bangladesh

Nowadays tannery waste is a matter of concern because if it used as livestock feed, it could cause health hazards to humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the generation rates, utilization, disposal method of tannery solid wastes (TSWs), and inclusion level of it into the poultry feed. Moreover, this study determined the physical and chemical parameters of interest including moisture content, crude protein (CP) levels, and the presence of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in the poultry feeds that were sold in the studied area. For these purposes, a field survey was conducted with twenty tannery industries. Broiler feed samples were procured from multiple farmers situated in the Savar area of Dhaka. The feed source was classified into two categories, namely registered and unregistered feed mills. According to the study, wet blue trimmings was generated in 3.84% that was used as an ingredient of poultry feed. In addition, 55% of tanneries landfilled their waste, while 30% of them sold it for poultry feed. The utilization of TSWs in poultry feed production in this country was limited to a maximum of 1.314% of the total annual production. Besides, the CP% was determined in the range of 24.24 - 13.32 % and 18.15 - 11.01 % for broiler starters and growers, respectively, where lower CP content was found only in unregistered feed mills. Trace amounts of Cr and Pb were identified in each of the feed samples at very low concentrations. In conclusion, it can be stated that the percentage of tannery solid wastes mixed poultry feed was generated in negligible amounts and the registered companies’ feed was found normal in all aspects of the quality tested in the study. Keywords: Broiler feed, Feed mill, Heavy metal, Physical quality, Tannery solid waste