USE OF LOW TANNIN SORGHUM TO REPLACE YELLOW CORN PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY IN BROILER RATIONS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the best level of low tannin- sorghum grains to be included in broiler diets as a source of energy partially or completely replace yellow corn. Chemical composition and nutritional value of low tannin- sorghum grains were determined. Six hundred and thirty one day old Cobb broilers were used in this study. The chicks were randomly distributed among five dietary treatments (Control and four treatments). The experimental diets contained 4 levels of low-tannin sorghum grains during each stage of the three stages of growth (starter; grower and finisher). Each dietary treatment was offered to 3 replicates each replicate contained 42 chicks housed in broiler cages. The diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous and covering the chick requirements as recommended by the management guide data of cobb chicks. The effects of different inclusion rates of low-tannin sorghum on growth performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated. The economic efficiency of replacing yellow corn by low-tannin sorghum was calculated. During the entire growth period (starter, grower and finisher), there were no significant differences in live body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion between chicks fed the control diet and those fed diets containing low-tannin sorghum up to 100%. There was also no significant difference in carcass yield at 35 days of age between birds fed the control diets and those fed diets containing different levels of sorghum.The economical efficiency study showed that replacing 50% and 25% of yellow corn with sorghum grains had the best economical efficiency and relative economical efficiency. Accordingly, this study demonstrated that low-tannin sorghum can safely be used in the broiler starter, grower and finisher rations as a substitute for yellow corn up to 100%, in spite of the exceptionally lower protein content of the sorghum, the present results confirm previous results in the livestock that low or non-tannin sorghum could partially or completely replace yellow corn in broilers rations. The fact that sorghum normally contains 10-11% CP compared to corn emphasizes the importance of using sorghum on the productive and economic efficiency of broilers especially in areas where the white skin color of broilers has consumer preference.