Philippine E-Journals

Different Cereal Grains as Energy Sources for Broiler Diets

Dexter C. Amada | Edwin S. Luis | Marcela R. Batungbacal | Florinia E. Merca

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

Different cereal grains, namely: com, sorghum and wheat were evaluated as energy sources In broiler diets. Four hundred twenty (420) 7 day-old Arbor Acres all male chicks were assigned in a completely randomized design to six (6) dietary treatments. Each treatment was replicated 7 times, with 10 birds per replicate. Three (3) enzyme preparations were tested In wheat-based diets. Results of this study showed no significant difference (P>0.05) In terms of body weight gain, livability and dressing percentage of birds from the different treatments. The apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the sorghum-based diet was similar to that of the wheat-based diet but significantly lower than that of com-based finisher diet. Broilers fed com-based finisher diet had significantly lower feed consumption and better feed efficiency than those fed sorghum-based finisher diet. Feed consumption and feed etf1dency of broilers fed wheat-based diet were similar to those of broilers fed corn-based diet except for the significant difference in feed efficiency during the finisher period. Supplementation of wheat-based diet with enzyme C significantly Improved the feed efficiency of broilers at both periods relative to those fed unsupplemented wheat-based diet. Economic return was highest in broilers fed with sorghum-based diet followed by that of broilers fed corn-based diet. Enzyme C supplementation of wheat-based diet yielded the highest returns among the enzyme supplements used.