Effects of feeding frequency on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a high lipid diet

Authors: SERAP USTAOĞLU TIRIL, FİKRET ALAGİL

Abstract: The effect of feeding frequency on nutrient digestibility and growth performance was investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a high lipid diet. The experimental diet contained 25.2% crude lipid and 40.7% crude protein. Two feeding frequencies were tested: 2 meals per day (Group I) and 6 meals per day (Group II). Fish were fed a restricted daily ration (1.5% of body weight) divided into equal meals. t the end of the experiment, the weight gain in Group I and II was 84.6% and 90.1%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between groups. The crude lipid and protein digestibility values were above 95% in both groups. The feed conversion ratios of Group I and II were 1.28 and 1.21, respectively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Because nutrient digestibility, growth, and feed efficiency were not significantly enhanced when feeding was increased from twice to 6 times daily, feeding twice per day was considered to be sufficient for rainbow trout fed the high lipid diet in this experiment.

Keywords: Feeding frequency, high lipid diet, digestibility, growth, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Full Text: PDF