Booth Id:
ANIM007T
Category:
Biochemistry
Year:
2015
Finalist Names:
Fox, Kyle
Siverson, Hayden
Abstract:
This project was conducted to determine two things. First, the scientists would determine which meat byproduct would be most beneficial to the growth of maggots. The second test would be conducted to conclude if chicken feed enhanced with dried maggots would be beneficial to the growth of chickens. For the first test, the scientists hypothesized that the chicken byproduct would create the most maggots compared to pork and beef. For the second test, it was hypothesized that the chicken feed enhanced with maggots would grow quicker and larger chickens as compared with regular chicken feed.
The scientists performed the first part of the project by creating three similar maggot farms; one for chicken, one for pork, and one for beef. The farmer then monitored and gathered the maggots from the devices. Once the number of the resulting maggots was collected, the farmer then grinded the maggots up and created a maggot-induced feed for the chickens. The scientists fed maggot enhanced feed to five chickens for two weeks, and another five chickens were fed the regular GMO free chicken feed. The weights of the chickens would be recorded after each week.
After testing was completed, the scientists’ hypotheses were supported. Chicken byproduct was the most beneficial byproduct for maggot growth and the maggot-induced feed allowed for the largest chickens.