Replacement of Vegetable Protein Sources with Marine By-Product on Nutrient Utilization, Protein Digestibility, Meat Quality and Economics in Ross-308 Broilers

Abstract

The objective of this experiment to study the effect of replacement of vegetable protein with marine by-product (fish meal) sources on nutrient utilization and economics in broilers fed on low protein diet. Five diets (CP 18%; ME 2950 kcal/kg); (R1) control: vegetable protein ingredients whereas in R2, R3, R4 and R5, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of total dietary protein was replaced with a Hi-Pro fish meal on a protein-equivalent basis. Four hundred and twenty-five (n=425) day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were divided into 5 treatments having 5 replicates (17 birds in each). Feed intake, weight gain, FCR and dressing percentage were improved (P < 0.05) in birds fed diet R3 in which fish meal contributed 50% of the dietary protein compared to those on all-vegetable protein (Control-diet R1) and those in which 25% (diet R2), 75% (diet R4) or 100% (diet R5) of the dietary protein was replaced with fish meal till day 21. Digestibility of CP was the highest (P < 0.05) in birds fed diet R3 in which fish meal replaced 50% of the dietary protein. Production cost/kg live weight was lesser in birds fed diet containing 25 and 50% replacement of fish meal with vegetable protein sources. In conclusion, vegetable protein ingredients can be replaced with fish meal at 50% in broiler diet