Effect of dietary incorporation of fish silage on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken

Abstract

The present study 180, day-old broiler chicks (Vencobb) were randomly distributed into 3 treatment groups with three replicates in each group. The chicks were placed in 9 pens with 20 chicks in each pen and reared in deep litter system under uniform management conditions. Control starter (0-3 wk) and finisher (4-6 wk) diets were formulated to meet the entire nutrients. Subsequently two test diets were prepared by incorporating acid treated fish silage at 5 and 10% level. Each diet was offered ad libium to 3 pens of 20 chicks each throughout the experimental period (0-6 wks). Dietary incorporation of acid treated fish silage up to 10% had no influence on body weight gain and feed consumption of broilers. The feed conversion ratio improved significantly by incorporation of fish silage at both 5 and 10%, during starter phase, but no influence was noticed subsequently. Fish silage up to 10% in the diet did not affect the dressed percentage and relative weight of other carcass parameters such as liver, heart, gizzard, breast and abdominal fat. The albumin to globulin ratio increased significantly (P>0.05) due to incorporation of fish silage at 10% in the diet compared to that of control. The serum triglyceride concentration increased significantly (P>0.05) at 10% level of inclusion of fish silage in diet. Lowest cholesterol concentration was found in the dietary group fed the control diet. The serum cholesterol concentration increased significantly (P>0.05) and linearly by increasing the level of fish silage from 5 to 10%. It is concluded that acid treated fish silage can be incorporated upto 10% in the diet without any adverse effect on performance of broiler chickens.