Evaluating Fermented Freshwater Crab Amino Acid as a Sustainable Drinking-Water Supplement for Broilers: Impacts on Growth Performance and Economic Return

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of fermented freshwater crab amino acid (FCAA) as an organic drinking-water supplement on the growth performance, carcass traits, giblet yield, and economic return of broiler chickens. Sixty straight-run day-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications, with five birds per cage. The treatments were plain water, 10%, 15%, and 20% FCAA in drinking water, respectively. Growth performance was assessed using weight gain, feed consumption, water consumption, and feed efficiency, while carcass evaluation included dressing percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and giblet weights. Birds given 20% FCAA obtained the highest weight gain, feed consumption, water consumption, and gizzard weight, whereas birds given 15% FCAA showed the best numerical feed efficiency and the highest net income. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in feed and water consumption, while weight gain, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and giblet traits were not significantly different among treatments. The findings indicate that fermented freshwater crab amino acid can be used as a locally available broiler supplement, with 15% inclusion showing the most favorable economic return under the conditions of the study.