THE USE OF FEATHER MEAL AS A REPLACEMENT FOR FISH-MEAL IN THE DIET OFOREOCHROMIS-NILOTICUS FRY

Four diets were developed in which equal weights of hydrolyzed feather meal (F) replaced equal weights of fish and meat and bone (FMB) meal in the following percentages: 0/100, 33/66, 66/33 and 100/0 (F/FMB). E ach diet was proffered ad libitum to two replicate groups of 60 fry (m ean wet weight 12 . 3 +/- 3 mg) for 42 days. Survival was not signific antly different among treatments (> 93%). The individuals fed 0/100, 3 3/66 and 66/33 (F/FMB) did not differ significantly in median or mean weight gain, however individuals fed 100/0 (F/FMB) were significantly smaller than those fed all other diets at days 21 and 42. The growth o f Oreochromis niloticus fry was not compromised by replacement of up t o 66% of fish meal and meat and bone meal (9 . 9% of the total diet) w ith feather meal. Feeding feather meal as a sole source of animal prot ein, however appears to result in a decrease in weight gain and associ ated growth parameters.