Evaluation of the Effects of Replacing Fish Meal with Chicken By-Product Meal on the Zootechnical Parameters and Biochemical Composition of the Flesh of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fry

Abstract

This study investigated the possibility of partially or completely replacing fish meal with chicken by-product meal in the diet of Nile tilapia fry. Two hundred and twenty-five mixed fry were divided into five treatment groups, with three replicates each contained 15 fry, placed in 15 plastic tanks for six weeks. The levels of chicken by-product meal incorporated into the feed at 25% (R1), 50% (R2), 75% (R3), and 100% (G4) of fish meal were compared to the control fish meal-based feed (100% fish meal, R0). The results indicated that the final mean weight (FMW), absolute mean weight gain (AMWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and FCR varied significantly between fish fed diets R0, R1, R2, and R3 and those fed diet R4 (P > 0.05). FMW, AMWAG, SGR, and FCR were improved in fish fed diets containing chicken by-product meal compared to the control diet R0 while those fed the diet containing 100% chicken by-product meal (R4) showed the lowest performance and the best performance was obtained with diet R1 containing 25% chicken by-product meal. Fish survival rates were 100% for all groups, thanks to favorable environmental conditions. The body composition of the fish was also improved, especially the fat content, which increased in line with the increase in chicken by-product meal in the feed. Overall, replacing fish meal with chicken by product meal had a positive impact on the feeding of tilapia fry.