Effect of feeding graded levels of fish oil on Performance and lipids profile of broiler chicks

Abstract

A total of 90 one day old broiler chicks (Hubbard 15), were utilized in this experiment. Three experimental isocaloric-isonitrgenous diets were formulated to meet the requirements of broiler chicks as out -lined by NRC (1994).The experimental diets contained graded levels (0,4 and 6%) of fish oil. The effect of fish oil supplementation on broiler performance (feed intake g/bird ,weight gain g/bird and feed conversion ratio g feed / g gain ) and lipids profile were investigated .A significant (P<0.05) improvement in total weight gain, final life body weight (g/bird) and feed conversion ratio of 6 weeks old broiler chicks was observed for birds fed 4 and 6% fish oil compared to those birds fed the control diet while no significant differences in feed intake were shown . The birds fed 4 and 6% fish oil hade significant (P<0.05) lower cholesterol (CH), low density cholesterol (LDL) and total triglycerides (TG) compared to those birds fed the control diet. No significant differences were observed on high density cholesterol (HDL)