Probiotic:

Small amounts of healthy bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus contribute to a healthy digestive tract.

Fishmeal in Poultry Diets: Understanding what is and what isn't healthy in the valuable feed ingredient for poultry

Fishmeal in Poultry Diets: Menhaden Fish Meal

I presently have one client who has been utilizing our menhaden fish oil as an ingredient in her own"mash" concoction for feeding her hens to produce high quality and high content Omega Eggs. We are trying to entertain possibly bringing on a menhaden fish meal specifically geared towards poultry feed.High quality fishmeal is recognized as an excellent source of protein, energy, minerals and vitamins. The majority of this fishmeal produced is included in commercial diets for poultry, swine, dairy cattle, mink and fish.

Good quality fishmeal demands a higher price than other high protein feedstuffs. Its proper use, however, requires a knowledge of not only its nutrient profile but also WHAT NOT TO BE INCLUDED AS A PRESERVATIVE=Ethoxyquin. An understanding of fishmeal ingredients will give users a better understanding of how the various factors interact to influence the quality of fishmeal.

Why Menhaden Should Be The Species Of Choice?

Fish differ both in their ability to store oil as well as where in the body oil is stored.

Species of fish referred to as "lean fish" include such species as cod and haddock. In these species the oil is stored primarily in the liver. The flesh (fillets) contain very little oil. Fishmeal from this type of fish has a low oil content (2 to 6%) since the livers are removed before processing. The whole fish is not usually used since cod and haddock are prized for the fillets. Since the fillets are used for human consumption, the fishmeal from these lean fish are made principally from the offal (white fish frames) remaining after filleting. "White" fishmeal commonly contains a higher concentration of ash (minerals) since the bony frames (head and racks) of previously filleted cod, haddocks, etc. are used. White fishmeal constitutes only 10% of the world fishmeal production.

Menhaden fish used to manufacture fishmeal stores oil in certain parts of the flesh. These are high oil fish and, unlike the lean fish, are not prized for their fillets. They are commonly referred to as "industrial fish." Approximately 90% of the world fishmeal production is from this high oil species.

Menhaden fishmeal, as well as most other species of fish used for the production of fishmeal have a similar protein content that averages approximately 16% in the whole fish. This whole body protein content will vary by only plus or minus 2 to 3%. The fishmeal derived from the fish will, therefore, all be fairly similar in protein content. The oil (fat) content in the menhaden fish species is much more potent than other species content. The amount of oil in fishmeal is directly dependent on the efficiency of the oil removal at the time of processing.

Menhaden Fishmeal is Commonly Produced in the U.S.A.

In the U.S.A., the majority of the fishing industry is in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The main industrial fish harvested is menhaden. In fact, 98% of the fish oil produced in the U.S.A. is from menhaden, a high oil species. The oil is considered by fish processors to be a by-product of fishmeal production. This fish oil has an important place in animal diets.

Smaller quantities of fishmeal produced in the U.S.A. are made from herring, redfish, and white fish. These species of fishmeal are low in oil.

Why Menhaden Constitutes: Good Quality Fishmeal

Menhaden fish oil when correctly processed will produce a good quality brown powder which will average between 60% and 70% protein. The menhaden fish oil contained within the fishmeal will usually be in excess of 14%. The moisture level will commonly range from 6 to 12%. The ash content will range from 18% (more common for an industrial fishmeal) to 25% (more common for a white fish meal).

The odor of fishmeal, as would be expected, is that of fish. It is easily distinguished from other ingredients. If an acrid "scorched" smell is present this usually indicates overheating or scorching. If this occurs, a blackish dark-brown color is common and the quality of protein is usually affected in a negative manner.

I am working ardently to negotiate a feasible quantity and competitvely priced option for Ocean Omega to hopefully be able to provide this valuable poultry feed, as Ocean Omega continues to strive for more healthy pet products diversification within the confines of 2008. Stay tuned as more information will be forthcoming.

Posted by Bill Holt at 07:27 AM