New chicken feed derived from food waste is helping to cut poultry farming costs while also trimming greenhouse gas emissions. This development was reported by the press service of the University of New England (UNE), highlighting a practical approach to turning waste into value in modern farming systems. The concept centers on collecting putrescible waste streams from everyday activities and transforming them into a usable poultry diet, offering a potential path to more sustainable animal nutrition without sacrificing performance or animal welfare.
The pilot batch drew its feedstock from a diverse mix of local sources, including breweries, hospitals, nursing homes and hotels. Through a patented production process developed by Food Recycle, the waste was converted into a granular powder with consistent texture and nutrient content that can be readily incorporated into standard feeding regimens for poultry. After rigorous testing under controlled conditions, researchers observed that egg quality remained high and the well-being of the birds was not compromised, confirming that the new feed can meet the nutritional needs of laying hens without adverse effects.
Thi Hiep Dao, a co-author of the study, noted that the poultry sector faces mounting pressure from rising prices for common feed components like soybean meal and from a growing demand for low-emission, responsibly produced poultry products. This backdrop underscores the potential value of substituting conventional feed ingredients with food-waste-based options, which may help stabilize costs while supporting environmental objectives.
Industry experts point out that roughly 65 percent of the total cost of poultry farming goes toward feed purchases. The adoption of waste-derived feed is anticipated to lower the cost per egg and per unit of meat, while also delivering meaningful reductions in emissions associated with feed production and animal digestion. In this scenario, greenhouse gas emissions could drop by a substantial margin, contributing to broader climate goals and offering producers a more predictable economic outlook as markets evolve toward sustainability benchmarks.
Overall, the initiative represents a pragmatic example of circular economy principles at work in agriculture. By turning waste streams into high-quality feed, the approach aims to create a win-win balance between cost efficiency, product quality, animal health, and environmental stewardship. As the industry continues to explore innovative feed solutions, continued research and scalable implementation will be essential to realize long-term benefits for farmers, consumers, and the planet alike.