Abstract
Possibility of rotifera, Branchious plicatilis, which is a kind of zoo plankton in sea water, as a future feed souce for poultry was examined by bioassay of gross protein value, available energy, and phosphorus availability.
Fresh rotifera contained 91% of moisture, and air-dried rotifera contained 57% of crude protein. Gross protein value of rotifera was 114 with supplementation of DL-methionine at the level of 1.2% of crude protein.
Nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy determined by analyses of diet and corresponding excreta was 3.16kcal/g of air-dry matter. Rotifera is rather rich in phosphorus and sodium, but low in calcium. Phosphorus availability was satisfactory, being 90.
It is concluded that rotifera is hopeful as future feed source for poultry.
