For performance evaluation of broiler chickens fed different levels of meal of tilapia industrial filleting waste (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%), 480 chicks at 1 day of age were used in a completely randomized design with five experimental diets, six replicates and 16 birds per experimental unit. Weight gain, final weight, average feed intake, feed conversion and mortality from 1 to 21 days of age and from 1 to 42 days of age were evaluated and in the end of experimental period, blood parameters (calcium, phosphorus and triglycerides) were measured. For economical evaluation, experimental diet costs, economical efficiency index and cost index were evaluated. It was observed difference on levels of inclusion of tilapia meal on average feed intake, final weight and weight gain at 21 days of age. For the total period (from 1 to 42 days of age), the inclusion of tilapia meal at levels up to 8% of the diet did not affect performance of the birds. Despite of the linear increase in triglycerides values, this level of inclusion and tilapia meal reduce values of blood phosphorus and calcium and it provides better economical performance.
alternative food; economic viability; fish meal; performance
