Chicken strengthens heart and skin health in salmon and trout
Chicken protein in fish feed delivers impressive results for both salmon and trout. Trials from feed manufacturer Aller Aqua and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) show that poultry by-products can reduce scale loss, result in larger hearts, and improve fish health.
The results show that chicken hydrolysate (by-products broken down into a highly digestable protein) outperforms traditional chicken meal, Aller Aqua said in a press release.
In the study, chicken hydrolysate and chicken meal were compared as protein sources in the feed for farmed salmon and rainbow trout throughout the entire sea phase. Both raw materials are sustainable alternatives made from by-products of poultry production, and help reduce food waste and contribute to local value creation.
Chicken hydrolysate provided superior results for fish health, quality, and production efficiency - characteristics that are crucial for promoting circularity and sustainability in the industry.
Main findings from the study show that chicken hydrolysate outperforms chicken meal as a feed ingredient for salmon and trout:
For salmon:
- Fewer sores
- Larger and more pointed hearts with less fat
- Less gaping
- Fewer dark spots
- Better eye health
- Fewer jaw deformities
- Redder color after freezing
For trout:
- More pointed heart shape
- Less visceral fat
- Higher slaughter yield (+5%).
Sustainable feed for the future
Aller Aqua states that it is working to develop cost-effective and sustainable feed solutions that promote good growth and efficient feed utilisation.
"Our task is to support farmers in conducting profitable and sustainable fish farming, and the use of animal by-products in the feed is an important part of the solution. We have long experience with chicken meal, but the latest research shows that chicken hydrolysate can solve well-known health and quality challenges in the industry. The results have far exceeded our expectations," said Lars Rohold from Aller Aqua.
Solid research at NMBU
The study, conducted by the NMBU in 2022-2023, combined experiments in freshwater and sea. In the sea, farmed salmon and rainbow trout were studied in 12 cages at three different locations.
The research work has a solid scientific foundation with five master's degrees at NMBU, one bachelor's degree at Wageningen University, and two scientific articles on the way.
Although the research has provided valuable findings, much remains to be explored.
"Chicken, and especially chicken hydrolysate, appears to be a promising animal feed ingredient in Norwegian fish farming. It is both sustainable and provides health and quality benefits. But we have only seen the beginning. It is important to conduct more research on this raw material, both alone and in combination with other feed ingredients," says NMBU's Professor Turid Mørkøre.
