Effect of Graded Replacement of Fish Meal with Vegetable Proteins in Broiler Starter Rations

Broiler starter containing 12 per cent fish meal was ased as control diet (0-5 wk). Experimental diets were constituted by inclusion of soybean and sesamum cake for graded replacement of fish meal at 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent substitution levels. The weight gains and feed efficiency of the group receiving diet with 75 per cent fish meal replacement were comparable to the control diet, the former gave 1247 g and 2.49 and the later 1222 g and 2.47. The diet containing fish meal replaced at 25 per cent level was significantly better (P < 0.05) both for weight gains and feed efficiency (1338 g and 2.25) as compared to other diets. However, diet totally devoid of fish meal revealed significantly lowest body weight gain and feed efficiency.