EFFECT OF SOYBEAN MEAL, MAIZE GLUTEN 30% AND FEATHER MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED CONVERSION RATIO OF HYBRID (LABEO ROHITA X CATLA CATLA) FINGERLINGS

Department of Zoology and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

    Growth performance and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of hybrid (Labeo rohita x Catla catla) fingerlings fed for six weeks on soybean meal, maize gluten 30% and feather meal were evaluated. The feed trails were replicated for each of the ingredients. The feed was supplied at the rate of 4% of wet body weight of fingerlings twice a day. The hybrid (Labeo rohita x Catla catla) fingerlings gained highest body weight (2.07 ± 0.01g) on maize gluten 30%, followed by feather meal (1.88 ± 0.04g) and soybean meal (1.66 ± 0.01g) and these values were significantly different from each other (p<0.05). The growth measured in terms of total length was significantly higher on maize gluten 30% (6.85 ± 0.04 cm) than feather meal (6.20 ± 0.05 cm) and soybean meal (6.15 ± 0.04 cm). The difference between the latter two groups was, however, non significant. FCR calculated for three ingredients was lower (better) on maize gluten 30% (1.90 ± 0.06), followed by feather meal (1.97 ± 0.04) and soybean meal (2.06 ± 0.08). The FCR value on maize gluten 30% was significantly better than soybean meal but non significantly different from feather meal. It was concluded that maize gluten 30% could be included in the feed formulation for fingerling hybrids. 

Key words: Hybrids, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, growth performance, FCR, soybean meal, maize gluten, feather meal.