Effect of feeding processed fish wastes on the growth and haematology of broilers

Effect of complete replacement of fish meal with processed fish wastes;viz, fish waste acid silage and surimi waste powder on the body weight, feed efficiency and haematology of broiler chicken were investigated. The experiment was conducted with forty five, 4 weeks old broiler chicken of Vencob strain for a period of three weeks. After three weeks of age, chicks were randomly divided into three groups G-I, G-II and G-III of 15 birds each. During the first three weeks, they were fed with standard broiler starter ration of BIS specification. Two experimental diets were formulated by replacing 100 per cent of fish meal in the control diet with fish waste silage and with surimi waste powder. These diets were allotted to the groups G-II and G-III, respectively. While the group G-I was fed with standard broiler finisher ration of BIS specification, which formed the control diet. The rations of G-I, G-II and G-III were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were fed from 4 weeks of age till the end of the study. Body weight, feed intake and haematology were investigated at weekly intervals from fourth week to seventh week of age. The feed efficiency was calculated. The data revealed that there was no significant difference in the body weight, feed consumption and haematology (Hb, VPRC, TEC, TLC) between any of the experimental groups. The feed efficiency was also similar in all the groups. It could be concluded that the complete replacement of animal protein (fish meal) in the finisher ration of broiler chicken with processed fish waste would reduce feed cost without comprising the nutritional status, feed efficiency and overall performance. The conversion of fish waste as a value added product would also help the fish industry to increase the revenue as well as curtail pollution associated with fish waste disposal.