Open AccessBroiler chicken, Fishmeal, Infertile eggs meal, Performance, Carcass, Blood indices
Author(s) -
Olufemi Sunday Akinola,
Kehinde Akintola,
O.O. Oluwatosin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v47i2.113
Subject(s) - fish meal , broiler , feed conversion ratio , globulin , meal , zoology , albumin , biology , urea , chemistry , body weight , food science , endocrinology , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery
Fishmeal, as animal protein source, is characterised by high cost, dwindling availability and adulteration by feed ingredient suppliers. In view of these, two hundred and ten (210) ten-day old broiler chicks were used, in 2 x 4 experimental layouts, to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with infertile egg meal of two forms (with or without shell) and at four graded levels (0, 30, 60 and 100%) on growth performance, haematology, serum biochemistry and carcass indices of broiler chicken. Crude protein (50.2%) and Ether extract (30.6%) were higher in infertile egg without shell (IEM) than in infertile egg withshell (IEMS) (41.36 and 23.4%). Egg forms (IEM or IEMS) did not affect (P>0.05) performance indices measured. Increasing levels of infertile egg meal reduced (P<0.05) body weight gain and final weight without affecting feed conversion ratio (FCR). The IEMS use led to reduction in feed cost (P<0.05) than in IEM. Levels of infertile egg meal reduced (P<0.05) feed cost per body weight gain with least cost at 100% replacement of fishmeal. The IEM elevated (P<0.05) serum total protein, urea and globulin but lowered serum creatinine. Increasing the levels of infertile egg meal lowered blood urea while increasingtotal protein and globulin. Inclusion of IEM at 100% improved Total protein, Albumin and Globulin. The cost of feed reduced (P<0.05) by 13.8% at 100% IEM and IEMS. It was concluded that infertile egg without shell can be used up to 100% in place of fishmeal in broiler chicken diets to reduce feeding cost and improve health without affecting the performance.