Utilisation of Malted Sorghum Sprouts in the Diet of Pullet Chicks

摘要

One hundred and sixty eight (168) one-week-old pullet chicks of Nera? strain were used in a feeding trial to evaluate the effect of malted sorghum sprouts (MSP) in diets of pullet chicks. The trial lasted for 10 weeks. There were three experimental diets containing 0, 150gkg-1 or 300gkg-1 levels of MSP. Each diet was fed to four replicate groups of 14 pullet chicks. The results showed that feed intake reduced (P0.05) gradually as the level of MSP inclusion in the diet increased. MSP inclusion in diets also led to reduced final weight (P0.05). Crude protein and fibre digestibility decreased significantly (P0.05) with increase in dietary level of inclusion of MSP. The converse was the case for ash digestibility. Birds fed 300 gkg-1 MSP had high (P0.05) level of packed cell volume and total serum protein, which was quite unexpected if the final weight and weight gain of the birds are taken into consideration. There was, however, an indication of impairment of protein utilisation when MSP was included as the birds in this group recorded significantly higher serum creatinine. It was concluded that there are some factors inherent in MSP, probably tannin and HCN that impair the utilisation of MSP based diets by pullet chick. It is apparent from the foregoing of inclusion of MSP even at 150g kg-1 depressed feed intake and growth. It is, therefore, not advisable to use MSP at a level up to 150g kg-1 especially for starting pullets.