Effect of Dehulling Sorghum Grains on broiler Performance and carcass characteristics

Hundred and eighty broiler chicks were divided into three treatment groups of six replicates each to study the effect of dehulling sorghum grains as a method of reducing its tannin content on broiler performance and carcass characteristics. Three isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain whole sorghum grains (A), dehulld sorghum grains (B) and equal proportion of dehulled and whole sorghum grains (C). Diets were randomly divided into the three chicks treatment groups. Chicks fed dehulled sorghum grains (diet B) had lower live weight gain, lower final weight and highest mortality rate and feed conversion efficiency, whilst the chick fed on 50:50 sorghum grains (diet C) had the best performance, heavier slaughter and carcass weight and significantly (p<0.05) heavier abdominal fat and greater dressing percentage that those given diet A and B. Chick given diet B had the least slaughter and carcass weights. Carcass wholesale cuts were not significantly different among the three dietary treatments other than the drum stick which was significantly (p<0.05) greater in treatment B. Meat chemical composition though not significantly different among the three dietary treatment groups. Treatment A had higher moisture and protein and the treatment C had the highest fat. It could be concluded that dehulling 50% of the sorghum grains for broiler diet removed the depressing effect of tannins on broiler performance and carcass characteristics.