Response of Broiler Chickens to Three Different Energy Source Feedstuffs

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different energy sources in starter diet on broiler chicks. Methodology: The study was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Health and Production, Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of seventy-two (72) unsexed broiler birds were sourced from accredited Chikun Company Hadejia metropolis, Jigawa State. The birds were raised under intensive management system (on a floor pens). Three different diets (containing different energy sources) designated as Treatments 1, 2, and 3 for maize, sorghum and millet, respectively were used in this experiment. The parameters measured were the growth performance, haematological indices, proximate composition of the experimental diets and economic analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS package. Results: The growth performance, haematological indices and economic analysis showed non-significant (p>0.05) differences despite numerical variation that exist among the treatment groups. The different energy sources did not significantly affect the performance parameters measured. The reason for this was not clearly understood, however, numerically, some of the performance indices tended to be positively affected by the different diet and the broiler performance analysed were within the normal range. Conclusion: Based on the economic analysis, millet is recommended being the cheapest in terms of feed cost and feed cost per weight of bird.