Effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor as replacement for maize on growth performance of broiler chicks in Kaduna state

The pressure on maize by feed industries and other industries has been increasing worldwide and maize has remained the major energy source in compounded diets of poultry ration which requires attention for alternative energy feed stuff for poultry due to cost and varying climatic changes. A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor on growth performance of broiler chickens in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty five (225) Arbor acre chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments after three days adjustment period using the complete randomized design (CRD) as follows, T1 - maize, T2 –Samsorg-14, T3 –Samsorg-40, T4 –Samsorg-17 and T5–KSV-15 in replacement for maize (T1) on the performance of broiler chickens. Each treatment had fortyfive (45) birds per treatment allotted into three (3) replicates containing fifteen (15) birds per pen, which lasted for four weeks. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant (P < 0.05) differences among treatments were compared using the Tukey`s test. The result at the starter phase showed that chicks fed T1 and T2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher in final body weight, average daily weight gain and had better feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain than birds fed T3, T4 and T5 diets. In conclusion total replacement of Samsorg-14 (T2) for maize (T1) in broiler chicks’ diet had no negative impact on performance at the starter phase, therefore Samsorg-14 can be incorporated in the diets of broiler chicks at 100%. Keywords: Broiler chicks, Sorghum varieties, growth performanc

Effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum supplemented with Maxigrain® enzyme on haematology and carcass characteristics of broiler finishers

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme on haematology and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in Kaduna state, Northern guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Five diets were formulated for the broilers at both the starter and finisher phases namely T1 – Maize without 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme  supplementation, T2 –Samsorg-14 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T3 –Samsorg-40 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T4 –Samsorg-17 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme and T5 –KSV-15 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme in replacement for maize (T1) on the performance of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five (225), day old Arbor acre chicks were used and placed on a common diet and were randomly distributed on the fifth day into five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment group having forty-five (45) birds per treatment and birds were allotted into three (3) replicates of 15 birds in each replicate for eight weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, 9 birds per treatment were selected based on the average weight per treatment for hematological and carcass assay. The results showed that feeding different dietary treatments supplemented with or without 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme to broiler chickens had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on haematological parameters and did not compromise the health as values were within normal range. Result showed that birds fed T1 and T4 were not significantly (P>0.05) different in terms of final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and major carcass characteristics were significantly (P<0.05) different and had higher values than birds fed T2, T3 and T5 supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme

A comparative study of feeding three sources of yeast on performance of broiler chicks

Proximate analysis and biological studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing three sources of yeast. Brewer`s yeast slurry, local alcoholic yeast (BKT) and Bakers’ yeast were assayed for their proximate composition, metabolizable energy, calcium and phosphorus contents. Generally, the proximate composition of Dried brewer`s yeast slurry was similar to that of baker`s yeast but was slightly higher (P< 0.05) than local alcoholic yeast (BKT). Baker`s yeast contained more calcium and phosphorus (3.42 % and 4.34 %) than dried brewer`s yeast slurry (0.16% and 1.24%) and Burukutu yeast (0.08 % and 0.26 %). In the starter phase, a total of one hundred and ninety two – day old broiler chicks were used to compare the nutritive value of dried brewer`s yeast slurry , Burukutu (BKT) yeast and Baker`s yeast in a complete randomized design. The birds were fed 23 % CP diets in which yeast products were fixed at 0.8 %, while the control diet contained 0 % yeast which was fed throughout the 28 day’s experimental period. The growth trial showed no significant (P>0.05) difference across the dietary treatments in terms of final weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and the cost per Kg gain. It was concluded that in view of the high protein and fairly balanced amino acid profile of yeast products, yeast can be used as a growth promoter in broiler chickens diets.Keywords: Dried brewer`s yeast slurry, Baking yeast, local alcoholic yeast (Burukutu yeast), performance, broiler chicks