EFFECTS OF SAMSORG-25 VARIETY OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor) BASED DIETS ON CARCASS TRAITS AND HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary samsorg-25 as a replacement for maize on the carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Five diets were formulated, with samsorg-25 replacing white maize at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. These diets were labeled as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Three hundred (300) two-week-old broiler chickens, weighing between 187.00 and 194.75 grams, were randomly assigned to the five diets in four replicates of 15 birds each, following a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum, and the feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The results of the carcass analysis revealed no significant effect (P>0.05) of samsorg-25 on most carcass and organ characteristics. The carcass weight of the birds ranged from 1.75 kg (T1) to 1.87 kg (T4), and the dressing percentage varied from 74.88% to 77.68% for diets T2 and T4, respectively. The relative weight of the liver showed a significant (P<0.05) dietary effect, with birds fed the control diet (T1) having a higher liver weight (1.73%) compared to those on T3 (1.53%). However, birds on both diets were comparable to those on other diets: T2 (1.66%), T4 (1.59%), and T5 (1.65%). Similarly, abdominal fat weight was higher on diet T1 (1.35%) than on T2 (1.17%), with birds on other diets showing comparable results to those on T1 and T2. The weight of the gizzard was also significantly (P<0.05) affected, favoring diets T1 (3.37%) and T3 (3.31%), which were similar and comparable to T2 (3.13%) and T5 (3.02%). Birds fed diet T4 (2.89%) had the lowest average gizzard weight but did not differ significantly from those on T2 and T5. Except for platelet count, no haematological index was significantly (P<0.05) affected. Platelet count was higher on T3 (2.69 x 103/µl) compared to T1 (1.70 x 103/µl) and T5 (1.60 x 103/µl), but comparable to T2 (2.13 x 103/µl) and T4 (1.88 x 103/µl). Serum biochemical assays indicated no significant dietary effect on all parameters except for urea. Urea concentration was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed diet T2 (4.94 g/dl) compared to those on T1 (4.02 g/dl). However, birds in both groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from those on other diets. It was concluded that Samsorg-25 can completely replace white maize in broiler chicken diets without any negative effects on carcass yield and the health of broiler chickens.