The Effect of Replacement of Maize for Sorghum on Broiler Performance and Some Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of replacing maize for sorghum grains in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass yield and some economic aspects. One hundred fifty one day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were purchased from commercial hatchery. Chicks were sorted by initial live body weight (44.81 ±1.40 g). These chicks were randomly assigned to 15 pens (1x1m) with 10 birds per pen. The chicks were divided into five dietary treatments; three replicates each. Starter and finisher experimental diets were 0% maize replacement for sorghum (control), 25% maize replacement for sorghum, 50% maize replacement for sorghum, 75% maize replacement for sorghum and 100% maize replacement for sorghum were fed through the experimental period of 42 days. Data were analyzed in completely randomized design using the general linear model (GLM) procedure. Live performance parameters, were not significantly (P?0.05) influenced by dietary treatments except for body weight gain and FCR during finisher and overall period. Birds fed on 50% replacement performed better versus others. During starter and finisher phase feed intake and body weight gain for birds on 50% replacement increased by (6.41 and 1.22%) and (7.13 and 3.56%), respectively versus control. Relative weight of breast, thigh and drumsticks and meat bone ratio of breast, thigh, drumsticks and internal organs were not significantly (P?0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Economics analysis showed that feed cost per 1 Kg was the lowest in sorghum-based feed followed by 50, 25, 100 and 75% maize replacement. Cost index was lowest in sorghum-based feed followed by 50, 25, 100 and 75% maize replacement for sorghum. Sorghum-based feed accomplish highest economic efficiency index followed by 50, 25, 100 and 75% maize replacement. Based on these results, it concluded that 50% sorghum replacement for maize is sufficient to assure good performance.