Economic analysis of flour from acid silage of pirarucu residues in diets for light commercial laying hens

Abstract

The economic viability of the inclusion of acid flour silage of pirarucu residues in diets for light commercial laying hens is analyzed. The 84-day experimental period was divided into four 21-day periods, with 168 laying hens of Hissex White strain, aged 73 weeks. Experimental randomized design comprised seven treatments with inclusion levels of acid silage of pirarucu residues (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5; 3%) and four replications of six hens each. Data were analyzed by polynomial regression at 5% significance. Significant differences (p > 0.05) were reported for diet intake, feed costs, egg production and production costs of fed laying hens. Best results featured inclusion of acid silage of pirarucu residues in diets. Gross income, gross aggregated value, profit index and equilibrium point also had significant differences (p > 0.05) with the inclusion of acid silage of pirarucu residues in diets, with higher profits. Results demonstrated that acid silage flour of pirarucu residues may be used as alternative feed in diets of commercial laying hens, with a decrease in egg production costs. It is an operationally low cost product and an alternative to decrease environmental impact generated during the elimination of fish processing residues. © 2019 University Center of Maringa. All rights reserved.