The objective of this study was to measure the effect of substituting
different levels of shrimp meal (SM) for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler
diets. In Experiment 1, 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of the crude protein c
ontributed by the SBM in broiler diets was substituted by crude protei
n from SM. In Experiment 2, 0, 60, 80, and 100% of the crude protein c
ontributed by SBM in broiler diets was replaced by crude protein from
SM. Body weight, cumulative feed consumption, and feed. conversion (fe
ed:gain) were determined on a weekly basis for 49 d in Experiment 1 an
d 42 d in Experiment 2. Mortality was reported daily. Carcass weight a
nd percentage yield were determined on a prechilled basis. In Experime
nt 1, no significant differences were found for body weight, feed cons
umption, feed conversion, mortality, carcass weight, or yield. In the
second experiment, body weight was found to be significantly higher (P
< 0.01) at 21, 28, 35, and 42 d of age in treatments in which SM was
introduced at a 100% substitution for SBM. Growth responses to SM were
also seen at lower levels of substitution at 21, 28, and 35 d. No sig
nificant differences were observed for feed consumption, feed conversi
on, mortality, or carcass yield for any of the treatments. Carcass wei
ght increased significantly by 12.1% when SM was substituted 100% for
SBM. Results of the present study show that the particular SM used in
this study could partially or totally replace SBM in broiler diets wit
hout negatively affecting performance or carcass quality.