Abstract:
This research was conducted to study the effect of adding graded levels of sugarcane molasses to drink water on the performance of broiler chicks. The parameters studied included: feed in-take, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio ,water intake, edible internal organs at week 4,5 and 6 and weight after slaughter at week, 6. A total of 90, one day old commercial broiler chicks (Ross308) having approximately the same weight, were divided into 3 treatments groups (A,B,C),30 per each group ,which in turn sub-divided into 3 replicates of 10 chicks each in stratified and completely randomized design. Starter and finisher diets were formulated to meet the total nutrient requirements of the chicks. The graded levels of the sugarcane molasses added to drink water were zero,1ml/litre and 2ml/litre molasses for group A(control),B and C respectively. The obtained result of feed intake (g/bird) showed a significant difference (p≤0.05) between the mean values of group A,B and C at week 4, while at week 5and 6 no significant difference was revealed between the mean values of all groups. Concerning body weight gain (g/bird) in association with effect of molasses addition ,a significant difference (p≤0.05) was detected between average values of the 3 groups at week, 4. At week, 5 no significant difference, and high difference (p≤0.01) was found at week, 6. No sig. variation was detected between mean values of group A,B and C for feed conversion ratio(FCR) at week, 4 and 5 but a high sig. variation (p≤0.01) was recorded at week, 6.
The mean values of water intake (ml/litre) indicated a high significant difference (p≤0.01) at week, 4,5 and6. The edible internal organs (g/bird), liver ,gizzard and heart were also highly
affected by molasses addition at week 4,5 and 6, where by the average values showed a high sig. variation (p≤0.01). Finally, average values after slaughter (kg/bird) indicated also a high significant difference (p≤0.01)at week 4,5 and6. The addition of graded levels of sugarcane molasses to drink water of broiler chicks practiced different effects on performance parameters subject of the current study, of which the gain in weight after slaughtering(carcass) may be considered as an important advantage for the poultry industry.
