Growth and Physiological Response of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed a Fermented Poultry By-Product Meal

A feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of a dietary fermented poultry by-product (FPBP) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, body chemical composition, blood biochemical tests and economic efficiency of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticusfingerlings. Poultry by-productwas subjected to solid-state fermentation then incorporated into four experimental (Iso-nitrogenous 30% and iso-caloric 4400Kcal/ Kg) diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% FPBP instead of soybean meal. Results revealed that the replacement of soybean meal with FBPP had significantly high (P≤ 0.05) growth performance and feed utilization. Moreover, body ash content decreased insignificantly (P≤ 0.05) compared to the control.  At a low substitution level of 25% FPBP, a significant increase in body fat content (P≤ 0.05) was recorded compared to the control. Furthermore, body ash and energy contents demonstrated a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) compared with the control. Additionally, biochemical blood tests revealed that FPBP does not have any harmful effects on either liver or kidney function parameters. It could be concluded that the replacement of soybean meal with FPBP at a level of 25% was the best in terms of growth performance and feed utilization under these experimental conditions.