What is hydrolised feather press water?
Hydrolised feather press water is a co-product of the poultry processing industry. It is a liquid residue that remains after feathers from poultry–most commonly chickens–have been processed.
Feathers are largely comprised of keratin, a protein-rich material. The processing of feathers involves hydrolysis under high pressure and temperature. Hydrolysis is a process in which a molecule is broken down by the addition of water. This breaks down the sulphur bonds in the keratin molecule, making the protein more digestible for animals.
Hydrolised feather press water therefore not only has a high protein content, but also a high protein digestibility (>90%) due to hydrolysis. On leaving the so-called hydrolyser, a pressing process removes the moisture present from the feather mass as much as possible. The feather meal is dried and sold as animal feed. The hydrolised feather press water is sold as a liquid co-product to the pig industry after preservation.
Delicious source of protein
Hydrolised feather press water offers many benefits as animal feed. It has a very stable nutrient profile with a high protein content.
The protein has a favourable amino acid profile, making the co-product particularly suitable for animals during growth. In addition, the co-product is distinguished with the presence of glutamate. The glutamate present promotes intestinal health and provides a pleasant umami flavour, boosting feed intake in pigs.
Pro'cellum
Pro'cellum, made from hydrolysed animal protein, offers a highly stable nutritional profile with a high protein content. The protein has a favourable amino acid profile, making this co-product particularly suitable for growing animals.
ProtiPlu
ProtiPlu is a liquid feed that is ideal for wet feed rations. It has a dry matter percentage of around 10%, of which 80% is fully digestible protein. This product provides a high content of essential amino acids, which promote growth, reproduction and milk production in pigs. Moreover, the relatively high fat percentage of 15% ensures that it is not only nutritious, but also particularly delicious.
Our range of hydrolised feather press water
The importance of protein for pigs
Protein plays a crucial role in pig growth and health. It is essential for the development of muscles, tissues and organs.
In addition to promoting growth, protein strengthens the immune system and supports recovery from disease and injury. For lactating sows, protein is important for milk production, directly contributing to the health and growth of their piglets. Therefore, sufficient easily digestible protein is very important for both young piglets and adult pigs.
Protein digestibility
Protein is essential for pigs, but not all proteins can be digested and absorbed by pigs.
Digestible protein refers to those proteins in feed that are effectively broken down in the digestive tract of pigs and whose amino acids can be absorbed and utilised. Non-digestible protein refers to those proteins that the digestive tract of pigs cannot properly break down and absorb. By processing proteins, for example by cooking, heating or fermentation, digestibility can be improved. Hydrolysed feather press water has highly accessible protein for pigs as the product is processed under high temperatures. In the product Protiplu, more than 80% of the protein is easily digestible and in Pro'Cellum it exceeds 90%. This makes hydrolysed feather press water a high-quality source of digestible protein.
Amino acids: the building blocks of protein
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play a crucial role in pig nutrition and health.
They can be divided into essential, semi-essential and non-essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids can be produced by the pig itself. The same applies to semi-essential amino acids, but they can be present in insufficient quantities under certain conditions or stages of life (such as growth, stress or disease). In such cases, these amino acids must be supplemented through diet. Essential amino acids, including lysine and methionine, cannot be produced by the pig's body itself and must be obtained through the diet.
The Amino Acid Profile
Hydrolyzed feather press water has a favorable amino acid profile, meaning it effectively meets the nutritional needs of pigs.
This co-product is rich in various essential amino acids, which are crucial for the growth and development of pigs. The amino acid composition of hydrolyzed feather press water is particularly suited to meet the needs of pigs at different life stages, especially piglets and sows.
Animal protein in the ration
The pig is an omnivore, which means that it can have a highly varied diet, consuming both plant and animal foods.
In the wild, pigs feed on a wide selection of foods, including vegetables, fruits, insects and even small animals. In pig farming, pigs can benefit from their versatile diet by utilising different feedstuffs, including co-products such as Protiplu and Pro'cellum. This enables pig farmers to adapt conveniently to the natural nutritional needs of their pigs.
Legislation and regulations
Hydrolysed feather press water does not fall under the category of Processed Animal Proteins, but under the category of ‘hydrolysed protein’.
Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) are animal co-products that have been processed into a nutritious ingredient for animal feed. The appearance of PAPs is usually fine powder. As of 2021, European legislation again allows the use of animal protein derived from animal co-products in rations. Hydrolysed protein, however, has been permitted by law to be used as a feed material for some time.
Protiplu and Pro'cellum comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Both products are non-GMO and according to the applicable GMP+ FSA standards, they are tested for mycotoxins, insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.
Storage & shelf life
Protiplu and Pro'cellum are liquid co-products and are delivered in tankers.
Both products are then stored in an acid-resistant silo with agitator. Regular stirring is recommended to prevent settling of the product. This prevents separation and ensures that every pig receives the same nutrients. Protiplu and Pro'cellum have an average shelf life of three weeks. It is important to clean the silo regularly.
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