Authors : F.C. Okoye, M.C. Ugwuene and L.C. Ubaeduonu
Abstract: The effect of the replacement of maize with graded levels of Sorghum Malt (SM) on the performance of broiler chicks was investigated using 120 day old Ank broilers in a Completely Ramdonized Design (CRD) experiment. Diets were formulated to contain about 24% CP and 3000 kcals ME/kg diet. The basal diet (Trt 1) did not contain sorghum malt while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 10% (Trt 2), 20% (Trt 3) and 30% (Trt 4) sorghum malt respectively. The chicks were randomly alloted to the dietary treatments giving 30 birds per treatment of three replicates. The chicks were inoculated against new Castle Disease, Fowl Pox and Gumboro disease at the appropriate times. Lighting and heat supply were provided by electric bulb, lanterns and stoves placed under hovers, feed and water supply were provided Iad-libitum. Daily feed consuption was measured by difference between quality supplied and the leftover in the through. Birds were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and subsequently at weekly intervals. On the 31st day of the 35-day trial period, triplicates samples of the chicks from each replicates were placed on metabolism cages for metabolism studies. Data collected from the growth study, nutrient balance study and economic analysis were subjected to the analysis of variance technique. The results indicated that significant differences (p<0.05) existed between treatments, 1, 2 and 3 on the one hand and treatment 4 on the other for most of the parameters evaluated. It is recommended that 20% sorghum malt can replace 24% maize in broiler starter diets without any adverse effect on bird performance.
Okoye, F.C. , M.C. Ugwuene and L.C. Ubaeduonu , 2006. Effect of the Replacement of Maize with Graded Levels of Sorghum Malt (Sorghum bicolor) on the Performance of Broilker Chicks. Agricultural Journal, 1: 77-80.