Determination of the best level of substitution of fish meal protein with some kind of blood meals in broiler chicks

This experiment was conducted for determining the best level of substitution of fish meal with blood meal in broiler chicks. In a three × five factorial experiment with three sources of blood meal (blood meals of Mashhad, Yasoj and Talesh) and five levels of substitution (zero, 30, 40, 50 and 60 percent). A Total of 600 one-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to 15 treatments with each treatment having four replicates. The results indicated that there were not significant difference between sources of blood meal on the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate and percent of breast, thighs and abdominal fat. All the carcass traits were expressed as percentages of live weights. Levels of substitution had significant effect (P< 0.05) on weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate. 30 percent substitution had the most feed intake that its difference was significant (P< 0.05) with other treatments. Least feed intake was for 50 percent substitution that its difference was significant (P< 0.05) with other treatments. Most weight gain was for 30 percent substitution which except with 40 percent substitution represented a significant difference (P< 0.05) with other treatments. Type of blood meal and level of substitution and interaction between them had not any significant effect on percent of breast, two thighs and abdominal fat. These results demonstrated that 50 percent substitution of fish meal protein with blood meal of Mashhad improved feed conversion ratio in broiler chicks. Therefore, 50 percent substitution of Mashhad blood meal is recommended.