Digestibility of feed by hens when using a fish forage additive

The purpose of the research is to study the possibility of using a fish feed additive in the diets of young poultry to ensure better use of nutrients in the hens’ diet. Research objectives: to determine the optimal doses of feeding in poultry rations; to study the indices of digestibility and assimilation of nutrients when a fish feed additive is included in poultry rations. The experimental poultry was divided by the analog method into 4 groups of young stock and 4 groups of laying hens, 3 heads in each according to the chosen method. Young hens and laying hens of the Hisex White cross took part in the experiments. All poultry were kept under the same conditions, only feeding was different. The hens of the control group received the ration adopted on the farm; the experimental group received the tested feed additive in the composition of mixed fodders in different proportions. The diet of replacement young poultry included the following doses: 1.5; 3 and 5 % in thecompound feed; - 3 each; 5 and 7 % in the diet of adult laying hens. The balance (physiological) experience consisted of two periods: preparatory and accounting. The preparatory period lasted 7 days, the actual registration period lasted 5 days. According to the results of the experiment, the maximum indices of digestibility were observed in the hens of the experimental groups, the assimilation of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus was also maximum in the experimental groups.The coefficients of feed digestibility in adult chickens and young hens were the highest in the experimental groups. Hens of the III experimental group which received fish meal at a dose of 7 % had the best coefficients for the digestibility of nutrients. The superiority of the experimental chickens over the control on the assimilation of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium was from 1.5 to 12.9 %. The coefficients of feed digestibility in hens and young hens were the highest in the experimental groups. The best coefficients for digestibility of nutrients were possessed by chickens of the III experimental group, which received fish meal at a dose of 7 %. The superiority of experimental hens over the control in the digestibility of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium was from 1.5 to 12.9 %.