Based on the general pellet physica

Based on the general pellet physical qualities as well as feed intake observed in the present study, copra and palm kernel meals showed promising prospects as partial protein sources in O. niloticus diets. Water stabilities of the pellets in terms of dry matter and nutrient retention were significantly affected by the inclusions of the oilseed byproducts into the experimental diets. The different inherent binding characteristics of the different oilseed meals, which according to Sørensen et al. (2009) and Kraugerud and Svihus (2011) is dependent on their chemical constituents and functional properties, is likely to have caused the differences in pellet quality and stability. The physical qualities of feed pellets depend largely on how well particles of the individual ingredients bond together ( Behnke, 1996). Based on inherent binding capabilities, MacMahon and Payne (1991) assigned pelletability indices to different ingredients to indicate the effects of their inclusions on pellets qualities. Their study rated the pelleting qualities of expeller-pressed soybean, copra and palm kernel meals on a scale of 0–10, 7, 7 and 6 respectively, where 0 is poor and 10 is excellent, which appears to be in agreement with the findings of this study as far as pellet water stability is concerned.