Effect of Feeding Red Sea Fish Waste Meal on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Internal Organs Weight and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

The study was conducted at Animal Research Centre Poultry Farm to evaluate the effects of red sea fish waste meal (RSFWM) in the diet of broilers on the performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs weight, and gut microflora. Ninety six unsexed (Hubbard classic) broiler chickens at seven days of age were randomly distributed into four treatments (24 birds per each treatment).Four experimental diets were formulated, T1 (conventional ration with no RSFWM), T2 2.5% RSFWM, T3 5% RSFWM and T4 7.5% RSFWM. The treatments were randomly assigned with three replications (8 birds each) for each of four experimental rations. The experiment was extended for six weeks. The chemical analysis showed that RSFWM contained 32.9% crude protein (CP) and 2827 kcal/kg (ME) on dry basis .DM 96.1%, Fat 5.72%, Ash 23.8%, Ca 5.3% and P 1.9%. Average body weight (BW), for T1 (2133g), T2 (2329g), T3 (2286g) and T4 (2378g) respectively) was significantly higher in T4 as compared to other treatments. Feed intake g/bird (3957.3g,4387g,4255.7g and 4394.8g) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively that were significantly higher in diets fed with rations containing 2.5 and 7.5% RSFWM as compared to the control group and those fed 5% RSFWM. Body weight gain was significantly higher in birds fed 7.5% RSFWM (2215.7g) followed by those fed 2.5% (2119.8g), 5% (2162.5g) RSFWM and finally the control group (1966.1g). No significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratio among treatments. The results obtained from carcass characteristics analysis indicated that inclusion of RSFWM had no significant effects on dressing percent and wing weight of broilers. On the other hand, RSFWM inclusion improved carcass, back, breast, drum stick and thigh weight as compared to those consuming the control diet. Feeding RSFWM had no significant effect on spleen, liver, heart and gizzard weight. However, when considering body weight, body weight gain feed efficiency ratio, inclusion of RSFWM in broiler diets at up to 7.5% is recommended.