Metabolizable energy and nitrogen retention of local chickens fed rations containing fermented catfish waste

The study aimed to determine the effect of fermented catfish waste (FCW) by microbes Lactobacillus paracasei, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (LBS) in rations as a substitute for fish meal on metabolizable energy and nitrogen retention. The study used local chickens (super native chickens / SNC) aged 14 weeks, as many as 24 heads, kept for 14 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and four repeats. Ration treatment is R0 (Lower control ration, protein 15% and ME 2,750 kcal/kg, without the use of FCW); R1 (R0 contains 5% FCW); R2 (R0 contains 10% FCW); R3 (R0 contains 15% FCW); R4 (R0 contains 20% FCW); and RS (Upper control ration, protein 18% and ME 2,750 kcal/kg, without use of FCW). The results showed that using FCW by LBS microbes had a significant effect (P<0.05) on metabolizable energy and nitrogen retention. Using 10% FCW in the ration formula resulted in the highest metabolizable energy value and nitrogen retention in SNC.