Effects of chemical silage of red tilapia viscera (Oreochromis spp.) as a source of protein on the productive and hematological parameters in isa-brown laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

This paper evaluates the inclusion of chemical silage from viscera of red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) in diets of Isa-Brown laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and its influence on productive variables and hematological parameters. A total of 56, 16-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into two groups (one per diet), which in turn were subdivided into 7 replicates of 4 birds each. All test groups were fed for 16 weeks. During this period, the evaluation of the productive variables was carried out, and at the end, random blood samples were taken from 3 birds per diet. The results indicated that the inclusion of chemical silage from red tilapia viscera with a proportion of 17.18% dry matter, does not present statistically significant differences in the productive variables which were evaluated (p > 0.05) with respect to the control. Moreover, the chemical silage did not modify the hematological parameters and blood the chemistry in the hens. This allowed us to conclude that silage can be used as a substitute for conventional protein raw materials such as fishmeal and soybean meal in the preparation of diets for laying hens, without altering their productive performance.