Effects of Different Inclusion Levels of Chicken Offal Meal as a Replacement for Fish Meal on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings
Donald Torsabo *
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Nigeria.
Amile Tersoo Jude
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Nigeria.
Oshimagye Michael Ibagye
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria.
Gbakon Ngutor David
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Nigeria.
Abah Jeremiah Jonah
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Nigeria.
Achussah Terwase Solomon
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Forestry and Fisheries, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of partial fish meal (FM) replacement with chicken offal meal (COM) on the growth performance, feed utilisation and survival of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) and isolipidic (10% lipid) experimental diets were formulated, in which chicken offal meal replaced fish meal at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. A total of 150 fingerlings (initial weight 2.36 ± 0.02 g) were randomly stocked at 10 fish per 50-L hapa in a completely randomised design with three replicates per treatment and were fed twice daily at 5% of body weight for 63 days. The results showed that moderate replacement levels significantly improved growth performance. Fish fed the 50% and 75% COM replacement diets generally recorded higher final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR), while the 75% replacement diet produced the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) compared with the control and other inclusion levels (P < 0.05). Complete replacement (100% COM) reduced growth performance. Survival rates ranged from 46% to 73% across treatments. The findings indicate that properly processed chicken offal meal can partially replace fish meal in practical diets for C. gariepinus fingerlings, with the best performance observed at moderate inclusion levels.
Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, African catfish, chicken offal meal, fish meal replacement, alternative protein, feed utilization, growth performance, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, sustainable aquafeed