Five trained panel evaluations were completed for flavor and odor of drumstick meat from broilers which received diets containing different combinations of tuna, meat, and soybean meals. Levels as high as 24-percent tuna fishmeal and/or meat meal with bone were compared. There were no statistically significant differences (P < .05) in the average scores of the panels for the different combinations evaluated. All had acceptable palatability scores and there were no reports of fishy, off flavor or odor. Tuna fishmeal and/or meat meal with bone should not constitute more than 12 percent of practical-type diets for broilers, so as not to exceed the 1 percent calcium tolerance factor required for maximum growth performance. Based on the results obtained in study III, in which calcium levels were within the tolerance range, the proportion of tuna fishmeal and/or meat meal with bone to be used should be based on the protein unit cost when compared to that of soybean meal. Trends were observed in the increase and decrease in acceptability of the meat in relation to storage time. More detailed research is warranted in this area to determine the interrelationship of protein sources, length of time in storage, and flavor scores.

Different combinations of soybean, tuna, and meat meals were evaluated using net gain and utilization of feed as criteria for comparison. Three studies were conducted, one during the starting and two during the growing periods using female chicks of the DeKalb strains. In all experiments the best combinations were those using zero or low percentages of meat meal with bone and tuna and soybean meals. A consistent decrease in overall performance resulted as the levels of meat meal with bone were increased in the diets. Levels of tuna fishmeal as high as 24% of the diets were satisfactory. In starting and growing diets for chicks of laying strains, the factor which may limit the use of tuna fishmeal is its cost compared to that of soybean meal or any other suitable substitute.

Four studies of six evaluations were conducted during the starting and fattening periods of broiler chicks. Different combinations of soybean meal, tuna fishmeal, and meat meal were evaluated. Net gain in weight and feed utilization were used as criteria for comparison. Proportions from 2:1 to 1:2 of soybean and tuna fishmeals gave best results in preliminary screening studies. In successive studies, when diets were equalized as to nitrogen, calories, phosphorus, and calcium, in which the latter did not exceed the 1-percent tolerance level, high quality meat meal containing 50-percent crude protein satisfactorily substituted up to 75 percent of the tuna fishmeal in the diets without adversely affecting the overall performance of the birds. The amount of sodium chloride supplied by the highest level of tuna fishmeal used in this study did not cause apparent adverse effects.