Replacement of Fishmeal with Reject Infertile Egg Meal: Effects on the Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken

Abstract

Two hundred and ten one-day old broiler chickens were used in a study to assess the feeding value of two forms of reject infertile egg meal, with shell(REGS) and without shell (REG) used at 0,30,60 and 100% levels of replacement of 72% fishmeal. Broiler birds were brooded for 10days after which they were distributed on the experimental diets in a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The main effect of the levels of REG and REGS was reduced (p<0.05) body weight gain of broiler at 100% of replacement of fishmeal. However, feed intake and feed conversion were not affected (p>0.05). Feed cost and feed cost per kg gain of broilers was reduced (p<0.05) with the increase use of REG and REGS in replacing fishmeal in the diet of broiler chicken. There was no difference (p>0.05) in most performance indices measured in broiler fed REG and REGS, except the cost of feed per day, which was higher (p<0.05) in REG. It was therefore concluded that reject infertile egg meal, with or without shell, could be used to completely replace fishmeal (72%) in the diet of broilers to save feed cost.