Performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing four varieties of <i>Sorghum bicolor</i> supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme on growth performance of broiler chickens in Kaduna state, Northern guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Five diets were formulated for the broilers at both the starter and finisher phases namely T₁ – Maize without Maxigrain ® enzyme supplementation, T₂ –Samsorg-14 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T₃ –Samsorg-40 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T₄ –Samsorg-17 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme and T₅ –KSV-15 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme in replacement for maize (T₁) on the performance of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five (225), Arbor acre chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups at five days old in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment group having forty-five (45) birds per treatment and birds were allotted into three (3) replicates of 15 birds in each replicate. At the end of the feeding trial birds fed T1 and T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight and weight gain than birds in other dietary treatment groups. Birds fed T4 had the best feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain. In conclusion total replacement of Samsorg-17 (T4) for maize (T₁) in broiler chickens’ diet had no negative impact on growth performance. Therefore, Samsorg-17 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme can be incorporated in the diets of broiler chickens at 100%.

 Key words: Broiler chickens, Sorghum varieties, Maxigrain ® enzyme, Growth performance.