Chicken-based by-products as a main component in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in the environments of Uzbekistan

Abstract

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings (in average 70 g) were stocked to 3 cages (300 m3 each) with stocking rate 22 pieces/m3 in Tuybuguz reservoir (Uzbekistan). Catfish were fed a mixture of minced fresh chicken sub-products and fishmeal (60:40) until fish reached 500 g (July 22, 2021). During the period of fish growth from 500 g to 1000 g (until September 1, 2021), they were fed only with minced meat from the chicken sub-products. Fish larger than 1000 g (until October 15, 2021) were fed with whole, unprocessed chicken legs, heads and stomachs of broiler chickens. During the vegetation season (5 months), catfish grew to an average weight of 1300 g. Feed conversion ratio of minced meat from a mixture of chicken sub-products and fishmeal was 2.5; whole heads, legs and stomachs - 3.1, minced meat from fresh offal - 4.1.