BY-PRODUCTS ▶▶▶
The value of fish silage for broilers
The inclusion of fish silage in broiler diets leads to improved growth performance and meat quality. Using materials that would otherwise be dumped offshore, reduces waste and environmental pollution, while providing a good source of essential amino acids and minerals.
BY MATTHEW WEDZERAI T
he global recurrence of diseases such as the African swine fever (ASF) is driving the high demand for poultrymeat products. This increased demand puts pressure on poultry feedstuffs, calling for new feed
resources and greater utilisation efficiency. Conversely, the ongoing climatic change coupled with the food-feed-fuel competition makes the future availability of high cost con- ventional feed resources, such as soybean meal and fishmeal, uncertain. The feed industry has been compelled to search for sustainable alternatives. Fish silage is a potential alternative source of protein in animal feed.
Why fish silage? The world is facing growing environmental concerns. Fish si- lage could be part of the solution; it uses materials which would otherwise be dumped offshore and cause environ- mental pollution. This material – which consists of fish waste products like heads, frames and internal organs – is turned into animal feed, thereby reducing environmental problems. Fish silage can be produced where the supply of fish for fish- meal production is limited or too expensive – which is com- monly the case. Fish silage production is a simple process that consists of three basic steps: grinding, acidifying and storage. Anaerobic storage conditions allow long-term stor- age which is less prone to oxidation and rancidity. In addition, acid ensilage decreases the pH, thus inhibiting the growth of most pathogenic bacteria. Fish silage is also a good source of essential amino acids and minerals. Its amino acid composi- tion resembles that of fishmeal, provided it is made from the same type of raw materials.
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 4, 2021 31
Researchers from the University of Nayarit in Mexico conduct- ed a study to investigate the nutritional value of fish silage in terms of growth performance and meat quality in broilers (day-old to 28 days). A fish silage: soybean meal mixture (ratio 1:1 w/w) was used to prepare four diets with different inclusion levels (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%).
Growth performance The researchers found an increased body weight gain in chickens fed the fish silage-soybean meal mixture compared to the unsupplemented diet. The inclusion of fish silage in the diet improved feed conversion in broilers – it was suggested that this may be due to hydrolysed protein during the silage fermentation process and the supply of essential amino acids, such as histidine, threonine, methionine, glycine, alanine and tyrosine present in fish silage. In this study, the amino acid content was even higher in fish silage compared to fishmeal. For the total period (28 days), a 10% improvement in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed at the 20% inclusion level. The feed intake in the fish silage diet was similar to the unsupplemented diet.
Meat quality For the three inclusion levels (10%, 20% and 30%), meat juici- ness and tenderness were better and the overall meat quality
Fish silage pro- duction is a sim- ple process that consists of three basic steps: grinding, acidi- fying and stor- age, with good nutritional value for broilers.
PHOTOS: ANP
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
