The effect of using different levels of shrimp meal in broiler diets

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 contributed by the SBM in broiler diets was substituted by crude protein from SM. In Experiment 2, 0, 60, 80, and 100% of the crude protein contributed by SBM in broiler diets was replaced by crude protein from SM. Body weight, cumulative feed consumption, and feed conversion (feed:gain) were determined on a weekly basis for 49 d in Experiment 1 and 42 d in Experiment 2. Mortality was reported daily. Carcass weight and percentage yield were determined on a prechilled basis. In Experiment 1, no significant differences were found for body weight, feed consumption, 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 significant differences were observed for feed consumption, feed conversion, mortality, or carcass yield for any of the treatments. Carcass weight 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 without negatively affecting performance or carcass quality.