Can the use of marlin fish by-product meal affect the performances of broiler chickens and the economic value of production?

Exploring fish cutting discards, for instance, marlin fish (Makaira indica) originated from traditional fish markets, may provide a product of fish meal at a cheaper price. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and economic value of broiler chickens fed the commercial diet, of which 20% were substituted with a mixture feed containing marlin fish by-product meal (MFM) or commercial local fish meal (CFM) in 4 and 8% of inclusion. This study used 100 broiler chickens of strain MB202 in mixed batches. The study was performed in a completely randomized design consisting of five treatments, four replications, and five birds per experimental unit with the treatments: control (C) = 100% commercial diet (CD); CFM4 = 80% CD + 20% mixture feed with 4% CFM; CFM8 = 80% CD + 20% mixture feed with 8% CFM; MFM4 = 80% CD + 20% mixture feed with 4% MFM; and MFM8 = 80% CD + 20% mixture feed with 8% MFM. The results of this study showed that raising broilers fed the diet containing 4% MFM vs. 4% CFM for up to 35 days-old did not show the significant differences (p > 0.05) of all performance parameters. However, at the level of 8%, final body weight and daily body weight gain were significantly higher (p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio was significantly better (p < 0.05) in MFM than in CFM-based diets. Protein efficiency ratio was very significantly higher (p < 0.01) in MFM than in CFM-based diets. Using MFM in broiler diet declined feed cost and increased income over feed costs, with the best economic receiving at 8% usage of MFM. In conclusion, using MFM in the diet resulted in better performances of broiler chickens and generated better economic value of production compared to using CFM.