Effect of Feeding Red Sea Fish Waste Meal on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Internal Organs Weight and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chicks

The study was conducted at Animal Research Centre Poultry Farm to evaluate the effects of red sea fish waste meal (RSFWM) in the diet of broilers on the performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs weight, and gut microflora. Ninety six unsexed (Hubbard classic) broiler chickens at seven days of age were randomly distributed into four treatments (24 birds per each treatment). Four experimental diets were formulated, T1 (conventional ration with no RSFWM), T2 2.5% RSFWM, T3 5% RSFWM and T4 7.5% RSFWM. The treatments were randomly assigned with three replications (8 birds each) for each of four experimental rations. The experiment was extended for six weeks. The chemical analysis showed that RSFWM contained 32.9% crude protein (CP) and 2827 kcal/kg (ME) on dry basis . DM 96.1%, Fat 5.72%, Ash 23.8%, Ca 5.3% and P 1.9%. Average body weight (BW), for T1 (2133g), T2 (2329g), T3 (2286g) and T4 (2378g) respectively) was significantly higher in T4 as compared to other treatments. Feed intake g/bird (3957.3g,4387g,4255.7g and 4394.8g) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively that were significantly higher in diets fed with rations containing 2.5 and 7.5% RSFWM as compared to the control group and those fed 5% RSFWM. Body weight gain was significantly higher in birds fed 7.5% RSFWM (2215.7g) followed by those fed 2.5% (2119.8g), 5% (2162.5g) RSFWM and finally the control group (1966.1g). No significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratio among treatments. The results obtained from carcass characteristics analysis indicated that inclusion of RSFWM had no significant effects on dressing percent and wing weight of broilers. On the other hand, RSFWM inclusion improved carcass, back, breast, drum stick and thigh weight as compared to those consuming the control diet. Feeding RSFWM had no significant effect on spleen, liver, heart and gizzard weight. However, when considering body weight, body weight gain feed efficiency ratio, inclusion of RSFWM in broiler diets at up to 7.5% is recommended. Keyword: Broiler, fish waste, performance, carcass, microflora  2019 Sudan University of Science and Technology, All rights reserved Introduction Naturally animals have a capacity to convert feeds into high quality human foods that are rich in protein. But, the production of animal products is not matched by the raised demand by human consumption as a result of the rapid growth of human population which is the major problem in the world in general, and in the developing countries in particular (Rameshwar and Kerthikeyan, 2005). Among the animal production segments, poultry farming may be considered one of the most developed activities in recent times, as a result of SUST Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (SJAVS) Vol. 02 No.( 1) ISSN: 1858 6775 June 2019 45 advances in genetics, nutrition, sanitation and management. One of the main goals of poultry production is to efficiently and economically convert the relatively disposable, non-palatable and unattractive raw materials into nutritious foods. In ordering to meet the demand of animal protein in developing countries, improving the performance of chickens is mandatory. The total cost of feed in poultry production accounted for about 60-65% of the total cost of poultry production (Hassan, et al., 2003). The bulk of the feed cost arises from protein concentrates such as groundnut cake, fish meal and soybean meal. Thus, there is the need to look for locally available and cheap sources of feed ingredients particularly those that do not attract competition between human and livestock. One positive cheap source of protein is the fish waste. The availability of major nutrients and unidentified growth factors, well balanced amino acid profile and the presence of omega3 fatty acids in FWM increases its importance in the feeding of simple stomached animals (Karimi, 2006; HLPE report 2014). Almost 40 to 50% of fish catch is thrown away as waste. This waste is highly perishable because its high moisture and protein content render it as an ideal medium for growth of microorganisms. If this waste is left unattended, it produces off odor and cause pollution problems. However, such waste could be utilized as source of protein ingredients in animal, poultry and fish feeds (Nithin et al. 2013). The average fish waste in Port Sudan fish market is about 634kg per day (16.15%) of the daily landing. On the other hand the daily loss due to spoilage was estimated as 50kg this was equivalent to 1.25% of the average daily landing(Hamza, et al., 2017). Therefore, these massive amount of fish waste was not utilized for animal feeding, but simply released into the environment resulting in pollution not only causing problem related to odour of disposing fish waste. Efforts have not been made yet in Sudan in general and in Port Sudan in particular to utilize this waste product as alternative feed ingredient in broiler rations to minimize the disposal problems. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics, gut micro flora and internal organs weight of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of red sea fish waste meal. Materials and Methods Experimental birds and management: Ninety six (96) seven day old unsexed broiler chicks of (Hubbard classic) were used. The experiment was conducted in a semi close poultry house. The house was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to the arrival of the birds. The house was partitioned into 12 units measuring 1 x 1 m each. The concrete floor of all the units was covered with wood shavings up to a thickness of about 5 cm. The birds were weighed and randomly assigned to four treatment groups, with a total of 24 birds per treatment. The birds were further divided into 3 replicates of 8 birds each. The birds were subjected to standard broiler chick management procedures, which included routine vaccination against Newcastle disease and Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro), which were administered to all the birds within the first three weeks. Feed and water were provided for adlibitum consumption, daily light of 24 hours was maintained. Red sea fish waste collection and processing: Red sea fish waste (RSFWM) (head ,fins, viscera, ovaries and gills ) were collected from the local market in SIGALA area Port Sudan, then boiled and oven dried at 80 0 C for 24 hours to obtain a well dried RSFWM which was packaged for onward milling using Apex® Hammer Mill. The dried SUST Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (SJAVS) Vol. 02 No.( 1) ISSN: 1858 6775 June 2019 46 product was subjected to microbiological examination to determined the presence of Salmonella and E.coli according to the methods reported by Mc Capes, et al (1989). The RSFWM was later subjected to proximate analysis according to the methods outlined by AOAC (1990) (Table 1). Table 1: Proximate chemical analysis of red sea fish waste meal (RSFWM)