The Effect of Haplochromis Fish Meal Supplementation on Growth and Feed Utilization by Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Thf'ee eJl'periments were conduoted to study the nutritional value of Haplochromis fish meall for poultry. A tot3l1 of 538 commerci,al broiler chicks were used. Graded levels of Haplochrol1lis meal consistin:g of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 peI1Cent were first compared to similar 'levels of Menhaden fhh meal. Diets were then formulated to test the value of Haplochromis mea'l as sources of methionine, caloium and phosphorus. The effects of supp<iemenbing this fish meal with D.L. me'thionine on growth feed consumption (l)nd utiLization by ohicks wa,s also studied. The data obta'ined £rom the f,eeding tI1i'aJls indicated that: (a) Commercial Menhaden fish meal had a slightly better nutritional quality than Haplochromis mea,Jalthough both were good biologicall sDurces of methionine. (h) The addition of Hap/ochromis mea'] at a level' of 5 percent improved growth in broiler chicks (P < 0.05). No addiNonaJl benefiltg were obtained by ,inoI1easing the dietaJry level of this fish melal to 10 penoent except when the diet was also supplemented wlith 0.2 percent D.L. methionine. (c) When added at a levd of 10 percent, Haplochromis meall supplied the bulk of the calcium and phosphorus required for optimum growth of broiler chicks. H ,is tentatively conduded that with proper processing techniques, Haplochromis fish mea,1 is a good protein source for pDultry.