Vermicomposting of poultry feather  using Eisenia foetida and Indigenous  earthworm: A comparative study

Rama Devi. K; Lourdhu Mary. A

Volume : II, Issue : X, October - 2013

Vermicomposting of poultry feather using Eisenia foetida and Indigenous earthworm: A comparative study

Rama Devi. K, Lourdhu Mary. A

Abstract :

The increasing size of poultry processing plant has intensified the problem of disposal of poultry waste mainly, the feathers. An alternative technology, vermicomposting has been used for the management of feather waste. The efficacy of the epigeic worm Eisenia foetida and Indigenous earthworm (Campus) in composting poultry feather with cow dung in ratio 3:1 was studied. The bedding contain pre–digested feather with cow dung in ratio 3:1 and maintained in triplicates. 20 adult worms of each earthworm species was introduced in respective tubs, and control without worms. Poultry feather was composted for about 60 days. Vermicompost, samples were subjected to physico–chemical analysis using standard methods and their results were reported as Mean � SEM (p ≤ 0.05). The levels of Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and C:N ratio showed significant increase in set up worked by Eisenia foetida than the Indigenous worm