GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF STARTER BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING RED AND WHITE SORGHUM SUPPLEMENTED WITH TANNASE

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of starter broiler chickens (0-28 days) fed diets containing red sorghum (RS) and white Sorghum (WS) with or without tannase supplementation. A total of 240 1- day old unsexed Arbor acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight (8) dietary treatments which were divided into 3 replicates each of 10 birds in a completely randomized design 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. Eight (8) diets were formulated in which sorghum replaced maize at 0, 100 RS, 100 WS and 50RS:50WS%. The first 4 without tannase then the other 4 diets supplemented with tannase. Growth performance data was collected weekly and nutrient digestibility at the 28th day. Birds fed 100% WS diet and those fed tannase supplemented diets at 50WS:50RS had the highest (P<0.05) final weight and weight gain. The FCR and Average daily feed intake were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. None of the nutrient digestibility indices were significantly (P>0.05) influenced by sorghum-based diet and tannase supplementation. In conclusion, red and white sorghum with or without tannase can be used to replace maize at 100% WS in the absence of tannase but with tannase, 50WS:50RS may be applied as a total replacement for maize in starter broilers diet for optimum performance and nutrient digestibility. Similarly, it could be observed that the addition of tannase to the diet even in the absence of sorghum can also enhance performance and nutrient digestibility.