Effect of Various Protein Sources on the Growth Rate and Feed Utilization by Females of White Leghorn Strains

Abstract

Different combinations of soybean, tuna, and meat meals were evaluated using net gain and utilization of feed as criteria for comparison. Three studies were conducted, one during the starting and two during the growing periods using female chicks of the DeKalb strains. In all experiments the best combinations were those using zero or low percentages of meat meal with bone and tuna and soybean meals. A consistent decrease in overall performance resulted as the levels of meat meal with bone were increased in the diets. Levels of tuna fishmeal as high as 24% of the diets were satisfactory. In starting and growing diets for chicks of laying strains, the factor which may limit the use of tuna fishmeal is its cost compared to that of soybean meal or any other suitable substitute.