Sewage-Grown Algae as a Feedstuff for Chicks

THE culture of unicellular algae such as Chlorella or Scenedesmus in sewage, in order to provide oxygen for aerobic bacterial decomposition of the organic matter, results in a large mass of algae cells that may be removed and utilized as a source of protein and other nutrients for chicks. The dried material contains 40% or more protein, and significant amounts of carotenoids. Protein concentrates of this sort are always needed by the poultry industry in order to supplement the cereal grains, which are relatively low in protein. Most studies of algae as poultry feedstuffs have been made with the large marine forms (MacIntyre, 1955) rather than with unicellular species. However, some nutritional work has been done with these simpler forms grown on a small scale and using artificial media. Combs (1952) found that feeding levels of 10% Chlorella pyrenoidosa increased feed efficiency and growth in chicks when the basal diet . . .