CHARACTERIZATION OF FERMENTED FISH WASTE USED IN FEEDING TRIALS WITH BROILERS

Chopped pilchard waste was mixed with 15% molasses and inoculated with a starter culture made of Lactobacillus plantarum. The silage was inc ubated at 22 degrees C for 20 days. Changes in the nutritional quality and biochemical properties (pH, dry matter, minerals, total and non-p rotein nitrogen, lipids and fiber) were monitored during a fermentatio n period of 15 days. The product obtained by fermentation was incorpor ated with bran and barley to make three formulas, which were then fed to broilers in four trials using five broilers each. The weight gain i n broilers was recorded for 20 days. Results indicated that pH decreas ed considerably in the fermenting product and then remained constant a t 4.2 and 4.5 in the two trials. Total nitrogen decreased slightly, wh ereas non-protein nitrogen increased significantly. The nutritional as says showed a net increase in the broiler weight relatively to the con trol diet. All the formulas made with the combinations of different pr oportions of ingredients resulted in similar growth of broilers compar ed with the commercial control-feed formula. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.