EFFECT OF CATERPILLAR (BUNAEOPSIS AURANTIACA) AS REPLACEMENT FOR FISH MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF FINISHER BROILERS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of Caterpillar (Bunaeopsis aurantiaca) as replacement for fish meal on the growth performance and haematological parameters of finisher broilers. A total of 150 four- week old broilers were randomly allocated to five experimental diets formulated to contain 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% caterpillar meal. There were 30 birds in each treatment which was replicated three (3) times with ten (10) birds per pen in a completely randomized design. Throughout the experimental period, feed and water were provided ad libitum for all treatment groups. The results revealed that average body weight gain (49.23-58.99 g), average feed intake (147.74-151.00 g) and feed conversion ratio (2.53-3.03), all the haematological parameters measured were not statistically (P>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The study concluded that up to 60% Caterpillar (Bunaeopsis aurantiaca) meal can be included as replacement for fish meal in the diets of finisher broilers without adverse effect on growth performance of birds.