ABSTRACT
Two studies were carried out to determine the nutritive value of Ma lted Sorghum Sprouts (MSS) in broiler chickens. The first trial was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of MSS in a isocaloric- isonitrogenous diets on performance, carcass, and hematological parameters. A total of two hundred and seventy birds were used for both the starter and finisher phases. There were five dietary treatments, replicated three times with eighteen birds per pen and a total of fifty four birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. Five isocaloric-isonitrogenous experimental diets were formulated to contain MSS at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% to compliment other energy components in the diets. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. In the second set of experiments, two hundred and seventy birds were allotted to five dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment containing eighteen birds per pen. Birds were fed five’ isocaloric-isonitrogenous diets with Maxigrain® enzyme treatment i.e. MSS at 0% (Trt l), 10% (Trt 2), 10% + Enzyme (Trt 3), 15% (Trt 4) and 15% + Enzyme (Trt 5). Data analysis revealed that dietary treatments had significant (p<0.05) effect on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/kg gain, carcass and blood parameters taken. Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) the lowest for birds fed diet 5 while those on diet 2 had the highest values. Body weight gain significantly (p<0.05) decreased as the percent MSS increased in diets. Feed conversion and cost/kg gain significantly (p<0.05) favored birds on diet 2 compared to those on diet 1, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Blood parameters were significantly (p<0.05) affected by experimental diets but differences were within expected limits. Feed intake was significantly the highest in Trt l and least in Trt 5. Trtl was numerically the highest in final weight and weight gain but did not differ (p>0.05) from trt3. Trts 2 and 5 recorded the lowest final weight as daily weight gains were least for these treatments. Trt 3 had the best feed conversion ratio and cost/kg gain with Trts 4 being the lowest. Dietary treatments had effect on breast, thighs, and other cuts and organs while drumstick, wings, back and lungs showed no difference. Hb and TP significantly differed but not PCV though values were within recommended range. These studies showed that birds in treatment 1 gave the best results in both experiments but, MSS can be included at 5% or at 10% with enzyme treatment for good performance, reduced feed cost and better feed conversion ratio. Mortality was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by MSS inclusion. It is therefore recommended that MSS in broiler diets should not exceed 10% levels of inclusion as the overall performance of birds become poorer with increased levels in the diet