Tropentag, September 19 - 21, 2016 in Vienna, Austria "Solidarity in a competing world - fair use of resources"

Effect of Supplementing Dietary Sunflower Sheath on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chicks

University of Khartoum, Fac. Animal Production, Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Sudan

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of supplementing dietary sunflower sheath on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. One hundred and forty four, one-day old unsexed broiler chicks (Ross) were distributed randomly to four treatments (36 birds per treatment) with three replicates (12 birds per replicate) in a completely randomised design. Four dietary treatments were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements for broiler chicks prepared by supplementing sunflower sheath (SSF) with different levels: 0%, 2%, 4% and 6% represented by A, B, C and D respectively. Diet and water offered ad-libitum to chicks. Weekly feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW) were recorded. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein intake (PI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were determined. The experiment lasted for six weeks. Carcass weight, dressing percentage and some internal organs were determined. The results of the experiment revealed that the diet which contained SSF gave significantly (P≤0.05) highest values for performance. Feed intake decreased by increasing level of SSF in the diet. BWG and PI were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Birds received diets containing SSF recorded higher weight gain than the control group. Diet B and C showed the best growth rate. FCR and PER were not affected by dietary treatments. Diets containing SSF had significantly (P≤0.05) increased live weight and carcass weight than control group. Dressing percentage and internal organs were not affected (P≥0.05) by dietary treatments. It could be concluded that supplementing broilers' diet with sunflower sheath had beneficial effects on performance and reduced feed cost.

Keywords: Broiler, carcass, performance, sheath, sun flower

Contact Address: Mahmoud O. A. Elfaki, University of Khartoum, Fac. Animal Production, Dept. of Animal Nutrition, 13314 Shambat, Sudan, e-mail: mahmoudosman03gmail.com