We conducted this study to examine how including infertile egg meal with shell obtained from the hatchery affects the growth,

digestibility of nutrients, and health status of Labrador puppies. On the basis of the results of in vitro digestibility, two bestperforming

levels (2.5% IEMS and 5% IEMS diets) were selected from an in vivo study on Labrador puppies for their potential as an alternate protein source. For the experimental duration of 90 days, Group I fed a commercial puppy food (control)-based diet; Group-II fed a 2.5% IEMS-based diet; and Group-III fed a 5% IEMS-based diet. The results of the in vivo experiment revealed that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in final body weight, total weight gain, ADG, or FCR among all the treatment groups. The percent digestibility of DM, OM, and CP was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the commercial puppy food and 2.5% IEMS-based diet than in the 5% IEMS diet; however, the commercial puppy food and 2.5% IEMS diet are comparable (p > 0.05) to each other. The percent digestibility of EE was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the 2.5% IEMS and 5% IEMS diets as compared to the commercial puppy food groups. The blood biochemical parameters of Labrador puppies were assessed at the 0th, 45th, and 90th days of the experiment. All the observed blood biochemical parameters were found to be comparable (p > 0.05) among the dietary treatments at the 0th day, 45th day, and 90th day. The cell-mediated immune response to intradermal injection of PHA-P at the end of the experimental duration revealed that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in cell-mediated immune response among the different treatment groups. It may be concluded from the present study that 2.5% of IEMS can be incorporated in the diet of Labrador puppies as an alternate source of protein.

Highlights

• Inclusion of 2.5% and 5% IEMS in diets had no adverse effect on growth performance, feed efficiency, or health status.
• Nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein was highest in the control and 2.5% IEMS diets, while ether extract digestibility improved with IEMS inclusion.
• Blood biochemical and immune response parameters remained comparable across all dietary treatments, indicating the safety of IEMS inclusion up to 2.5%