The Addition of Wasted Powdered Milk in Rooster Feed on Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC), Carcass Weight, and Abdominal Fat

Abstract

Feed costs are a significant challenge in poultry farming, particularly in the production of roosters, where  they account for more than 60% of total production costs. To mitigate these expenses, it is essential to explore  alternative, affordable feed ingredients that still support optimal poultry performance. Wasted powdered milk, despite  being unfit for human consumption, is rich in protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals, making it a promising feed  ingredient. This study evaluates the effects of adding wasted powdered milk to rooster feed on Feed Conversion  Ratio (FCR), Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC), carcass weight, and abdominal fat. In addition, a financial analysis was  conducted to assess the economic viability of incorporating this by-product into poultry diets. The experiment involved 90 roosters, divided into three treatment groups: P0 (0%), P1 (2%), and P2 (4%)  wasted powdered milk. The results demonstrated that the 4% supplementation (P2) achieved the best outcomes, with  a lower FCR of 2.11 kg/bird, the highest IOFC of IDR 13,308 per bird, and a significant increase in carcass weight  (536.7 g/bird). Although a slight increase in abdominal fat was observed, there was no significant difference between  treatments (p > 0.05). A financial analysis for a production scale of 5,000 birds indicated that the use of wasted  powdered milk in rooster feed is economically feasible, with R/C Ratios ranging from 1.10 to 1.13, an ROI of 10.85– 23.3%, and an investment payback period of 7–9 production cycles. This study recommends the inclusion of 4%  wasted powdered milk as an effective method to improve feed efficiency, carcass quality, and profitability in poultry  farming, while also promoting the sustainable use of dairy by-products.