Kitchen Waste: A Sustainable Approach for Backyard Poultry Farming

Abstract

Backyard poultry farming is an efficient, sustainable, and economical practice in which kitchen waste serves as a key component. Organic kitchen waste can be used to feed poultry, providing nutrients from vegetable scraps, fruit peels, leftover cooked food, and crushed eggshells, thereby reducing reliance on costly commercial feeds. Eggshells, for example, are an excellent source of calcium, which supports bone strength and improves egg production in laying hens. However, inorganic waste such as plastic, glass, and other non-degradable materials must be excluded, as they pose health risks and endanger poultry. Using kitchen waste not only lowers feed costs and improves economic efficiency but also promotes environmental sustainability by diverting organic waste from landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a circular bioeconomy. Kitchen waste offers a sustainable and potentially cost-effective alternative to commercial feed, with nutritional content that varies but can provide valuable protein, fat, and fiber. Studies have shown that certain food waste streams can significantly reduce feed costs by replacing expensive grains, oils, and protein meals, with potential cost savings of up to 25% in some cases. Despite these benefits, challenges such as contamination risks, nutrient imbalances, and seasonal variability in waste availability must be addressed through proper management strategies, including composting, fermentation, and drying. With such measures, the full potential of kitchen waste as an alternative feed source can be harnessed to promote environment friendly and resource-efficient poultry farming.