Comparative Utilization of Three Animal Protein Sources by Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The effect of including three unconventional animal protein sources in broiler ration was investigated. One hundred and fifty (150) unsexed day-old broiler chicks of Anak Strain were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatment, each having 3 replications of 10 chicks in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diets 2,3,4 and 5 respectively contained 2.5% of Danish fish meal, locally processed fish meal (fish waste meal), crayfish waste meal, and grasshopper meal, while Diet 1 (control) had no animal protein. Each diet was offered ad-libitum to the birds for a period of 49 days. The results showed that, absence of animal protein in diet 1 significantly (p < 0.05) depressed feed to-gain ratio (3.40). Diets 3, 4 and 5 were similar to Diet 2, which had feed-to-gain ratio of 2.47. The percentages of the gizzards, livers, kidneys and hearts were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected, an indication that satisfactory animal protein can be prepared from these unconventional sources. The percent carcass proximate composition and gross energy were significant (p < 0.05), but followed no definite pattern. The percent nitrogen and energy retained were not significantly (p > 0.05) but others were. Significant (p < 0.05) higher savings (N213.84) was obtained with the use of Danish fish meal, followed by birds fed diets 5 (N206.64), 4 (N196.71) 3 (N175.74) and 1 (N130.24) respectively. Data from this study indicated that locally processed fish meal, crayfish waste meal, and grasshopper meal can serve as a natural substitute for the imported, expensive and unavailable Danish fish meal without negatively effecting performance and economic returns on broiler production.