Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

The increasing demand for high-quality poultry products, coupled with rising costs and sustainability concerns associated with conventional feed ingredients, has necessitated the exploration of alternative feed resources. This study evaluated the nutritional profile of swimming crab meal as a potential alternative feed ingredient in poultry nutrition. Crabs were sourced, processed into a meal, and subjected to comprehensive laboratory analyses, including proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid profile, and fatty acid composition using standard analytical procedures. Results showed that swimming crab meal contained 28.88% crude protein, 30.35% carbohydrates, 19.45% crude fibre, 4.80% fat, 2.94% ash, and 13.59% moisture, indicating a balanced nutrient composition with good storage stability. Mineral analysis revealed a high concentration of magnesium (74.70%), along with appreciable levels of calcium (11.50%), zinc (1.09%), manganese (0.978%), copper (0.372%), and low phosphorus (0.30%). The amino acid profile demonstrated the presence of essential amino acids such as leucine (7.82%), arginine (7.14%), and lysine (4.48%), although methionine (2.38%) and tryptophan (0.97%) were relatively low. Fatty acid analysis indicated a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids (62.73%), particularly oleic acid (47.80%), with minimal omega-3 fatty acids (0.04%). The findings suggest that swimming crab meal is a nutritionally valuable and sustainable feed resource with the potential to partially replace conventional protein sources in poultry diets. However, its high fibre content, low phosphorus level, and limited essential amino acids necessitate careful dietary formulation and supplementation. Overall, swimming crab meal represents a promising alternative ingredient that supports both poultry productivity and environmental sustainability.