Browsing by Author "Makosa, Dan"

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    The potential of dried chrysomya megacephala maggots on the growth performance of nile tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) in an integrated chicken-fish system
    (East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2026-01-23) Kabugo, Stephen; Makosa, Dan; Nteza, Steven
    A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Chrysomya megacephala (Greenish-blue faecal fly) maggots produced on chicken faecal substrate as an alternative to processed fish concentrates in an integrated chicken-fish farming system. Maggots were solar-dried and supplemented the fish feed in four isonitrogenous diets at levels of 0% as the control diet, 25, 50, 75%. Diets were fed to Oreochromis niloticus from 17.3 ± 1.38g fingerlings up to harvesting live weight todetermine the effects of dried maggots in comparison to processed fish feed on the growth, nutrient utilization and survival of the fingerlings. The feeding trial was carried out in 12 concrete tanks of 8m2 area, with 80 pieces of Nile tilapia fish in each tank. The feeding rate for fish was a daily ration 5% of their body weight for the 126 days. Results revealed that dried Chrysomya megacephala maggots were a nutritious fish feed comparable to mixed concentrated feed diets. At levels 0 and 25%, there was no significant differences in the fish’s performance in weight and length gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. In conclusion, dried maggots’ judgment of their nutritional composition, water absorption and floating ability showed a potential alternative feed for improved tilapia fish production. Nutritional profiling of dried maggot feed indicated that it can replace other conventional protein sources used in animal feeds. Therefore, increased production and hygienic processing of Chrysomya megacephala maggots should be encouraged in livestock and aquaculture farming.