Cost effective floating feeds for Indian Major Carps (IMC) by replacement of soyabean meal with alternative feed ingredients

Three types of iso-nitrogenous floating feeds for Indian Major Carps (IMC) were formulated and prepared in extruder by using different feed ingredients. The first feed (SMF) was formulated with soyabean meal as main protein source whereas 2^nd (GNF) and 3rd(TCF) feed were formulated by replacing a part of soyabean meal with alternative feed ingredients i.e. ground nut oil cake and til oil cake respectively. Evaluation of three types of floating feeds showed that, floating percentage, sinking percentage and apparent density were not affected on three different types of floating feed. The water holding capacity was highest in Feed II (GNF) and lowest in Feed I (SMF). The crude fibre and ether extract percentage of the TCF was highest among three floating feeds whereas nitrogen free extract was highest in SMF feed. The proportion of omega 3 fatty acids of three types of feed did not differ significantly. The growth performance of TCF was comparable to GNF floating feed where as it was superior to SMF floating feed. The feed cost was lowest in TCF and highest in SMF feed. This indicated that, the floating feeds (GNF and TCF) developed by replacement of soyabean meal with ground nut oil cake and til oil cake are superior to floating feed (SMF) prepared by inclusion of only soyabean meal and this may be economical for the farmers.