1. food and drink
2. food
3. grains and pasta

The Feeding Value of Sugar Cane
Molasses in Broiler Diets
BY
Hajer Mustafa Elgilani
B.Sc. (Honors) – 2000
Faculty of Animal Production, University of
Khartoum.
A dissertation submitted to the University of Khartoum in partial fulfillment
for the requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Poultry
Production.
Supervisor: Prof.
Omer El-Amin Mohamed Hassan
Department of Poultry Production
Faculty of Animal Production
University of Khartoum
December - 2007
Dedication
To the memory of my mother
To all my family members,
Father, brothers
Especially Faysal
And sisters
For their continuous support.
i
Acknowledgements
My great praise and thanks to ALLAH the Almighty for
giving me determination and strength to finish this work.
I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation
to my supervisor Professor Omer EL-Amin Mohammed Hassan
for his guidance, encouragement and valuable advice throughout
the period of this study.
Appreciation and thanks are extended to the staff and
members of the Department of Poultry Production for their help
during the study.
My great and special thanks are due to my family members,
specially my brother Faysal, for their encouragement, financial
and moral support.
I am also very thankful and grateful to all my friends and
colleagues for their help and support.
ii
LIST OF CONTENTS
Page
Dedication
I
Acknowledgements
ii
List of contents
iii
List of tables
v
List of figures
vi
Abstract
vii
Arabic abstract
viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
3
2.1
Definition of Molasses
3
2.2
Types of Molasses
3
2.2.1
Cane Molasses
3
2.2.2
Beet Molasses
3
2.2.3
Citrus Molasses
3
2.2.4
Hemicellulose Extract
4
2.2.5
Starch Molasses
4
Types of Sugar Cane Molasses
4
2.3.1
Black Strap (Final Molasses)
4
2.3.2
Integral Molasses
4
2.3.3
High Test Molasses
4
2.3.4
Condensed Molasses
5
2.4
Compostion of Molasses
5
2.5
Production of Molasses
6
2.6
Molasses as an animal feed
7
2.3
iii
2.7
Molasses in broiler feeding
8
2.8
Effect of sugar cane molasses feeds on the internal organs of
broilers
9
2.9
Digestion of sugar cane feed by poultry…
9
2.10
Sources of energy
10
2.11
Energy requirement for broilers
10
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS…
11
3.1
General
11
3.2
Experimental birds
11
3.3
Experimental diets
11
3.4
Housing
12
3.5
Management and experimental procedure
13
3.6
Statistical analysis
15
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
18
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
41
REFERENCES
44
Appendix
53
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table (No)
Title
Page
1 The ingredient composition of the experimental diet………………
16
2 Calculated and determined analyses of the experimental diets…….
17
Summary table of broilers performance as affected by the level of
20
3 the dietary molasses …………………………………………… …
Total feed and nutrient consumption of broilers as affected by the
23
4 level of the dietary molasses ……………………………
Weekly mean feed consumption of broilers as affected by the level
25
5 of the dietary molasses ……………………………………………
Weekly mean live weight of broilers as affected by the level of the
29
6 dietary molasses ………………………………………………
Weekly mean body weight gain of broilers as affected by the level
32
7 of the dietary molasses ……………………………………………
Weekly mean feed conversion ratio of broilers as affected by the
34
8 level of the dietary molasses ………………………………………
Summary table of the carcass parameters of broilers as affected by
37
9 the level of the dietary molasses …………………………………
10 Cost of feeding of the experimental birds………………………….
v
40
LIST OF FIGURS
Fig. (No)
Title
1-a The effect of molasses level on total feed consumption, final live
Page
21
weight and body weight gain of the experimental birds……………...
1-b The effect of molasses level on feed conversion ratio of the
21
experimental birds…………………………………………………….
2 The effect of molasses level on weekly feed consumption of the
26
experimental birds……………………………………………………
3 The effect of molasses level on weekly mean live weight of the
30
experimental birds
………………………………………………………………………
…………
4 The effect of molasses level on weekly mean live weight gain of the
33
experimental birds………………………………….............................
5 The effect of molasses level on weekly feed conversion ratio of the
35
experimental birds…………………………………………………….
6 The effect of molasses level on dressing out percentage, Abdominal
fat weight, Liver and Viscera weight, and Blood glucose levels……..
vi
38
Abstract
A 6- weeks feeding trial was conducted to assess the feeding value
of sugar cane molasses in broiler diets. A number of 160 un sexed
day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in the trial. They were
assigned to 16 pens of 2m2 floor area each, at the rate 10 chicks per
pen. Four experimental diet were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10
and15% cane molasses. Molasses was incorporated in the diets in
replacement of sorghum grain by weight. The trial was in form of a
completely randomized design with four replications for each
treatment.
Weekly feed consumption, live weight gain, feed conversion
ratio and daily mortality were recorded. At the end of the experiment
one bird from each replicate was selected at random, and the selected
birds were slaughtered and used to determine the mean dressing
percentage, and weights of abdominal fat, liver and viscera for each
treatment. Blood glucose level was also determined on blood samples
of the selected birds at the end of the experiment. The collected data
was subjected to analysis of variance to estimate any statistical
differences among the experimental treatments.
The resulted indicated a significant (P<0.01) increase in feed
consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio with
increased incorporation of dietary molasses. Abdominal fat was
similarly increased, but other carcass parameters and blood glucose
level were not affected.
The finding of the present trial indicates that the replacement of
grain sorghum by molasses up to 15% in broiler diets improved
performance.
vii
‫ﻣﻠﺨﺺ اﻷﻃﺮوﺣﺔ‬
‫أﺟﺮﻳﺖ ﺗﺠﺮﺑﺔ ﺗﻐﺬﻳﺔ ﺗﺠﺮﻳﺒﻴﺔ ﻟﻤﺪة ﺳﺘﺔ أﺳﺎﺑﻴﻊ ﻟﺪراﺳﺔ اﻟﻘﻴﻤﺔ اﻟﻐﺬاﺋﻴﺔ ﻟﻤﻮﻻس‬
‫اﻟﻘﺼﺐ ﻓﻰ ﻋﻼﺋﻖ ﻓﺮارﻳﺞ اﻟﻠﺤﻢ ‪.‬‬
‫اﺳﺘﺨﺪم ﻓﻲ هﺬﻩ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ ‪160‬آﺘﻜﻮت ﻟﺤﻢ )روس ‪(308‬وزﻋﺖ ﻋﺸﻮاﺋﻴَﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ‬
‫‪16‬وﺣﺪﻩ ﺗﺠﺮﻳﺒﻴﺔ )ﻣﺴﺎﺣﺔ آﻞ وﺣﺪة ‪2‬ﻣﺘﺮ ﻣﺮﺑﻊ ( ﻓﻲ ﺣﻈﻴﺮة ﻣﻔﺘﻮﺣﺔ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻧﻈﺎم‬
‫اﻟﺘﺮﺑﻴﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻔﺮﺷﺔ اﻟﻌﻤﻴﻘﺔ ‪.‬اﺳﺘﺨﺪﻣﺖ أرﺑﻌﺔ ﻋﻼﺋﻖ ﺗﺠﺮﻳﺒﻴﺔ ﺗﺤﺘﻮى ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﺴﺐ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ‬
‫ﻣﻦ ﻣﻮﻻس اﻟﻘﺼﺐ )ﺻﻔﺮ‪10 % ،5% ،‬و ‪ (15%‬آﺒﺪﻳﻞ ﻟﺤﺒﻮب اﻟﺬرة ﺑﺎﻟﻮزن‪،‬ﺗﻢ‬
‫ﺗﻮزﻳﻊ ﻋﻼﺋﻖ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ ﺑﻤﻌﺪل أرﺑﻌﺔ ﻣﻜﺮرات ﻟﻜﻞ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ وﻓﻘﺎ ﻟﻠﻨﻈﺎم آﺎﻣﻞ اﻟﻌﺸﻮاﺋﻴﺔ‪.‬‬
‫ﺗﻢ رﺻﺪ اﻟﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت إﺳﺒﻮﻋﻴﺎ ﻟﻠﻌﻠﻒ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻚ‪ ،‬اﻟﺰﻳﺎدة ﻓﻰ اﻟﻮزن اﻟﺤﻰ ‪،‬اﻟﻜﻔﺎءة‬
‫اﻟﺘﺤﻮﻳﻠﻴﺔ ﻟﻠﻐﺬاء واﻟﻨﻔﻮق اﻟﻴﻮﻣﻰ ‪.‬ﻓﻰ ﻧﻬﺎﻳﺔ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ أﺧﺘﻴﺮ ﻃﺎﺋﺮ واﺣﺪ ﻋﺸﻮاﺋﻴﺎ ﻣﻦ آﻞ‬
‫ﺗﻜﺮار‪ ،‬اﻟﻄﻴﻮر اﻟﻤﺨﺘﺎرة ﺗﻢ ذﺑﺤﻬﺎ واﺳﺘﺨﺪﻣﺖ ﻟﺘﺤﺪﻳﺪ ﻣﺘﻮﺳﻂ ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﺘﺼﺎﻓﻰ‪ ،‬وزن دهﻦ‬
‫اﻟﺒﻄﻦ‪،‬وزن اﻟﻜﺒﺪ واﻷﺣﺸﺎء وﻣﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﺠﻠﻜﻮز ﻓﻰ اﻟﺪم ‪.‬أﺧﻀﻌﺖ اﻟﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺼﻠﻪ‬
‫ﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴﻞ اﻟﺘﺒﺎﻳﻦ ﻟﺘﻘﺪﻳﺮ أى إﺧﺘﻼﻓﺎت إﺣﺼﺎﺋﻴﻪ ﺑﻴﻦ ﻣﻌﺎﻣﻼت اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ‪.‬‬
‫أوﺿﺤﺖ اﻟﻨﺘﺎﺋﺞ ﻣﻌﻨﻮﻳﺎ )‪ (P<0.01‬زﻳﺎدة ﻓﻰ اﻟﻐﺬاء اﻟﻤﺘﻨﺎول‪ ،‬اﻟﻮزن اﻟﻤﻜﺘﺴﺐ‬
‫وﻣﻌﺪل اﻟﻜﻔﺎءة اﻟﺘﺤﻮﻳﻠﻴﺔ ﻟﻠﻐﺬاء ﺑﺰﻳﺎدة ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﻤﻮﻻس ﻓﻲ ﻋﻠﻴﻘﺔ دﺟﺎج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ‪ ،‬أﻳﻀﺎ‬
‫ﺗﺮﺳﻴﺐ اﻟﺪهﻦ ﻓﻰ اﻟﺒﻄﻦ زاد ﺑﺰﻳﺎدة ﻧﺴﺒﺔ اﻟﻤﻮﻻس ﻓﻰ اﻟﻌﻠﻴﻘﺔ ‪.‬ﻟﻜﻦ ﻗﻴﺎﺳﺎت اﻟﺬﺑﻴﺢ‬
‫اﻻﺧﺮى وﻣﻌﺪل اﻟﺠﻠﻜﻮز ﻓﻰ اﻟﺪم ﻟﻢ ﺗﺘﺄﺛﺮ ﺑﺈﺿﺎﻓﺔ اﻟﻤﻮﻻس‪.‬‬
‫أوﺿﺤﺖ ﻧﺘﺎﺋﺞ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺔ اﻟﻰ أن إﺣﻼل ﺣﺒﻮب اﻟﺬرة ﺑﻤﻮﻻس اﻟﻘﺼﺐ ﺣﺘﻰ ﻧﺴﺒﺔ‬
‫‪15%‬ﻓﻰ ﻋﻼﺋﻖ دﺟﺎج اﻟﻠﺤﻢ أدى إﻟﻰ ﺗﺤﺴﻴﻦ اﻷداء‪.‬‬
‫‪viii‬‬
CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
Since feed constitutes the major cost item in the world poultry
production, considerable research efforts have been spent to reduce its
cost by using cheap locally available feed sources. This requires
investigating the feeding value of the local ingredients and assessing their
ability to supply nutrients, in available form, to meet the nutrients
requirements for the different classes of poultry stock. Cereal grains are
being utilized as a major energy source in poultry diets, beside their role
as a staple food for humans .This resulted in a very sharp competition
between human and monogastrics for cereal grains. This situation called
for extensive research to find new feed resources for animal feeds to
avoid this competition for cereal grains (Lyj.1990).
In the Sudan sorghum grain is widely grown and used for human
consumption beside its use as a major source of energy in animal feeds .It
becomes, therefore, strategically important to find new sources of energy
for animal feeding ,in order to save sorghum and other cereal grains for
human consumption . Sugar cane is also widely grown in the Sudan as a
raw material for a strategic and expanding national sugar industry. This
has been accompanied by substantial amounts of cane molasses produced
cheaply as a by-product of sugar production. Sugar cane molasses is
capable of yielding greater quantities of soluble carbohydrate which can
be used as a source of energy in poultry diets (Woldroup, 1981).
Cane molasses is a cheap source of energy compared to other
energy rich feeds, especially sorghum and other cereal grains. Eisa
1
(1996) reported that, obtaining energy from molasses is far much cheaper
than obtaining it from cereal grains, because molasses has a relatively
high content of soluble carbohydrate in the form of sugars. Furthermore,
there are many reports in the literature indicating that molasses can be
used effectively to replace sorghum grains in poultry diets. However,
there was some controversy in most of the obtained results and
recommended safe levels of molasses incorporation in poultry diets.
The present study is conducted to assess the response of broiler
chicks to different levels of cane molasses in the diet .This is hoped to
yield some useful information for the use of molasses as a source of
energy in broiler diets.
2
CHPTER TWO
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1. Molasses definition:
Molasses is the principal by – product of the sugar industry. The
term molasses specifically refers to the final effluent obtained in the
separation of sucrose by repeated evaporation, crystallization and
centrifugation of juices from sugar cane or sugar beets (Curtin, 1983). In
general any liquid feed ingredient that contains sugar in excess of 43% is
termed molasses.
2.2. Types of Molasses:
There are many types of molasses which have been described and
specified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials
(AAFCO, 1982). These types include the followings:
2.2.1. Cane Molasses:
Is a by- product of manufacture or refining of sucrose from sugar
cane. It is specified by AAFCO to contain not less than 46% total sugars
expressed as invert, its moisture content exceeds 27%, and its density,
determined by double dilution method, must not be less than 79.5 Brix.
2.2.2. Beet Molasses:
Is a by- product of the manufacture of sucrose from sugar beet. It
carries the same specifications as cane molasses.
2.2.3. Citrus Molasses:
It is the dehydrated juices obtained from the manufacture of dried
citrus pulp.
3
2.2.4. Hemicellulose Extract:
Is a by- product of the manufacture of pressed wood, obtained by
the treatment of wood at elevated temperature and pressure.
2.2.5. Starch Molasses:
Is a by- product of dextrose manufacture from starch derived from
corn or grain sorghum, where the starch is hydrolyzed by enzymes and /
or acid.
2.3. Type of sugar cane molasses:
The early literature on production and processing of cane molasses,
has been presented by Anonymous (1970), and Meade and Chem (1977).
There are many types of sugar cane molasses. The molasses usually
available for animal feeding is known as Black strap or final molasses.
2.3.1. Black strap (Final molasses):
It is a by- product of cane sugar industry, from which the
maximum crystalline sugar has been extracted by the normal methods. It
is most commonly used in animal feeding. In addition to sucrose, it
contains glucose and fructose which are fermentable. Black strap
molasses also contain substances which are not fermentable by yeast. The
non fermentable reducing content of molasses may be present as high as
17% in black strap molasses (Under Kofler and Hichey, 1954).
2.3.2. Integral molasses:
It is unclarified molasses, made by partially inverting sugar cane
juice to avoid crystallization of sucrose.
2.3.3. High test molasses:
High test molasses result from the conversion of clarified whole
sugar cane juice into molasses. The process involves application of
4
invertase enzyme and sulphuric acid to the cane juice resulting in syrup.
Because the sugar was not excreted the high –test molasses has a greater
concentration of sugars and lower concentration of minerals compared to
other types of molasses.
2.3.4. Condensed molasses:
This is the by- product developed by condensing the residue from
yeast fermentation to commercial alcohol.
2.4. Composition of Molasses:
The chemical composition of molasses shows a wide variation as
its composition is influenced by many cultural factors such as the type of
soil used for cultivation of the crop, ambient temperature, moisture,
season of crop production and variety; in addition to production practices,
plant processing, and the storage conditions. The variation in composition
exists in nutrients content, flavor, color, viscosity and total sugar content
(Wornik, 1969; Anonymous, 1970; Hendrickson and Kesterson, 1971;
and Presten and Willis, 1974).
All types of molasses contain relatively large amounts of total
sugars and other carbohydrates; and these compounds are responsible for
the feeding value of molasses. Sugar content of molasses varies
according to the production technology employed, (Baker, 1981). In
addition to sucrose, molasses contains glucose, fructose, raffinose, and
numerous non- sugar organic materials.
According to Presten (1987, 1988) and Ly (1987a), molasses and
sugar cane juice are characterized by their extremely high NFE value,
and no fiber, and negligible amount of ether extract and protein. All types
of molasses contain a small quantity of crude protein (3% in mineral soil
5
reaching 10% in organic soil) (Champman et.al., 1965). Also the
nitrogenous material in molasses consists mainly of non- protein nitrogen
compounds (amides, albuminoids, amino acids and other simple
nitrogenous compounds).These two factors limit its nutritional value for
non- ruminants.
The mineral content of molasses reveals wide variation within
molasses types, and variability of trace minerals can be quite high
(Curtin, 1973). In comparison to commonly used sources of dietary
energy, mainly cereal grains, the calcium, potassium, magnesium,
sodium, chlorine, and the sulfur content of cane molasses are high;
whereas the phosphorus content is low. The trace minerals (Copper, Iron
and Manganese) content are high in cane molasses.
The vitamin content of molasses is subject to wide variations
(Olbinch, 1963; Curtin, 1973). It is deficient in thiamine, riboflavin, vit.
A and vit. D., but it is rich in niacin and pantothenic acid. Soluble ash
content also varies among molasses types (Preston, 1986). Generally
molasses is low in phosphorus but cane molasses is an excellent source of
trace minerals.
Chemical composition of molasses for Sudanese sugar factories
Mohamed, (1998) is shown in the appendix (2).
2.5. Production of Molasses:
The major production area of molasses is U.S., and the major
consuming areas in the world are the United States, Canada, Europe and
Far East. The recent usage of molasses is in the production of alcohol.
In Sudan, the sugar production is from sugar cane, which is famous
for its high value of sugar molasses. The total production was estimated
6
to be around 351809.50 tons in addition to 4500 tons from Kenana sugar
company in 2006-2007 (Sudanese Sugar Company, Kenana sugar
company). Some of the molasses produced from the Sudanese Sugar
factories is exported to regional international markets and the rest is
utilized locally as supplement for animal feeds and for fermentation for
ethanol production.
2.6. Molasses as an animal feed:
Molasses has been used as an animal feed for livestock and poultry
stock since a long time, starting at the nineteenth century. Review articles
in this respect were published by Scott (1953), Cleasby (1963), Van
Niekerk, (1980) and Waldroup, (1981). Molasses is used with dry feeds
of animals to increase palatability, setting dust, carrier for other essential
nutrients, serving as a binder for pelleting and as a source of trace
minerals and some microelements Crampton, (1956); Gohl; (1975) and
Preston and Leng (1987). Commercially it is included in animal rations at
a level of 15% for cattle and pigs, 8% for calves and sheep, and 5% for
poultry (Crampton and Harries, 1969). However the maximum amount to
be used is often determined by the absorbability of molasses by other
ingredients in the diet. The use of molasses in animal feeding is limited,
because overconsumption of molasses causes molasses toxicity in
ruminants and laxative effects in monogastric animals. Losada et al.
(1971) reported that molasses toxicity is related to the change in the
nature of the end products of digestion produced. This was supported by
the finding that molasses toxicity reported in turkeys is associated with
extensive fermentation in the crop (Valarezo and Periz, 1971), but not in
pigs where there are few differences in the nature of the fermentation
7
pattern Ly, (1971). The laxative effect of molasses is attributed to
osmotic effects caused by the great quantity of potassium ions in the final
molasses. It was also suggested by Obano et al. (1969) and Ly and
Velazguez (1969) that the insufficient intestinal saccharase, used to
complete hydrolization of the sucrose present in molasses, would cause
the laxative effect. Other problems that limited the use of high levels of
molasses are the difficulty of mixing quantities in excess of 20% of the
diet; in addition to the problems of storage and handling of this type of
diet, when using automatic feeders
2.7. Molasses in broilers feeding:
The earliest document report showing the value of cane molasses
in poultry feeding was published by Graham (1906) in North America.
Sugar cane final molasses proved to be suitable when included in quite
high levels in diets for both broilers and layers with no detrimental effect
on health or performance (Lyj, 1990 and Ricci et al., 1980). However,
certain limitations were shown with total replacement of cereal grains by
molasses, due to difficulties in mixing diets containing high levels of
molasses, in addition to its laxative effects (Rossenberg, 1955;
Rossenberg and Palafox, 1956a,b; Ross,1960; Kondo and Ross,1962;
Perez,1968 and Connor et al., 1972). Inclusion of high levels of molasses
in broiler diets increased body weight and feed consumption at 0-4 weeks
of age, but the increase of feed intake was not statistically significant;
whereas at 4-8 weeks of age molasses inclusion has no effect on either
feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency or live weight (Connor et
al, 1972; AbdelRhman, 1984; and Kabuage et al, 2000). Similarly Satava
et al, (1981) indicated that up to 20% molasses could be used in broiler
8
diets with no reduction in body weight. The same workers concluded that
sugar molasses can be included safely at 15 and 20% in finishing diets of
broiler. Storage of diets with high levels of molasses causes loss in the
nutritive value of mixed feeds (Ross, 1960) which would reduce the
growth rate of birds and feed efficiency.
2.8. Effect of sugar cane feeds on the internal organs of broilers:
Anatomical modifications have been found in broilers fed
increasing levels of sugar cane final molasses (Alvarez, 1976b).
Remarkable increases in the crop, proventricle, small intestines, empty
caecum and kidney weights were reported by Aragor et al., (1974);
quoted by Valdivie and Fraga, (1988), and the reverse occurred with
gizzard weight.
2.9. Digestion of sugar cane molasses by poultry:
Poultry shows a fast rate of passage of digesta through the
gastrointestinal tract when sugar cane final molasses are included in large
proportion in diet (Alvarez, 1976a). The laxative effect of sugar cane
final molasses, defined as a rapid rate of passage of digesta through the
entire gastrointestinal tract, brings about a sharp decrease in the
digestibility of diets, thus causing deterioration in the daily body weight
gain and feed utilization efficiency. This laxative effect can be
neutralized by mixing the molasses with raw sugar or high-test molasses
which contains large amounts of sugar (Perez et al, 1968; Perez and
Perston, 1970). When a laxative condition appears in chicken fed cane
molasses, there is no change in the ratio of water excretion between
faeces and urine (Rodriguez et al, 1980).
9
2.10. Sources of Energy:
Energy is derived from the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids,
and protein. Most energy in the animals feed is derived from
carbohydrates such as cereal grains, in form of starch. Sorghum is the
most important cereal grain for poultry feed in the Sudan, which contains
14-46Mj/kg metabolisable energy. Molasses is the alternative source of
CHO which contains high metabotisable energy of about 10-15Mj/ kg
(Anthony, 1990).
2.11. Energy requirement for broilers:
The energy requirement of birds is met by the chemical energy
contained in the feed. Energy is required for maintenance function,
growth and other forms of production, and any excess is stored in the
form of fats. The optimum energy needs must be provided in the diet.
Most energy requirement is derived from soluble carbohydrate
represented by starch and sugars (Say, 1987).
The efficiency of feed utilization depends upon metabolic energy
in nutrients containing adequate amounts of all others required nutrients.
Scott et al, (1982).
10
CHAPTER THREE
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 General:
The research work in the present study was conducted in the
poultry unit of the Faculty of Animal Production, University of
Khartoum. The experimental work was in the form of a 6- weeks feeding
trial, carried out during the period from 22 February to 9 April 2007, to
asses the effect of feeding four dietary levels of molasses on broiler
chicks performance and carcass yield.
3.2. Experimental birds:
One hundred and sixty unsexed day-old commercial broiler chicks
(Ross 308) were purchased from Coral Company in Khartoum. The
average initial weight of chicks was between 44 to 45g. The chicks after
visual inspection for health and vigour were distributed randomly into 16
experimental pens, at the rate 10 birds in each pen. Each dietary
treatment was replicated four times.
3.3. Experimental diets:
Four experimental diets were used in this trial. The experimental
diets were made up of the local feed ingredients commonly used for
poultry feeding in the Sudan, and the diets were formulated to meet NRC
(1994) nutrient requirements for the broiler chick. The calculated analysis
of the diets was made according to the table of the nutrient composition
of the Sudanese Animal Feeds, Central Animal Nutrition Research
Laboratory, Kuku (1999). The diets were formulated in a way that they
contain the same ingredients with different levels of cane molasses. Diet
11
(1) is a control diet without molasses, diet (2) contained 5% molasses,
diet (3) contained 10% molasses and diet (4) contained 15% molasses.
The diets were mixed manually, and molasses was first mixed with wheat
bran as an absorbent and the bran molasses mix was then mixed with the
other dietary feed ingredients.
The proximate analysis of the diets was made according to the
procedure of the (AOAC, 1980), to determine the crude protein, ether
extract,ash and crude fiber of the diets. The Metabolizable energy (ME)
content of the diets was calculated according to the equation of Lodhi et
al. (1976) based on values obtained by the determined proximate analysis
of the diet.
Lodhi equation was as follows:
ME(Kcal/Kg)=1.549+0.102(CP%)+0.02759(EE%)+0.0148(NFE%)0.0034(CF%)×239.
CP: crude protein.
EE: Ether Extract.
NFE: Nitrogen Free Extract.
CF: Crude Fiber.
The ingredient composition, calculated analysis and proximate
analysis of the experimental diets are shown in the tables 1 and 2,
respectively.
3.4. Housing:
The feeding trial was carried out in a deep litter open sided house
with the long axis extending from east to west to allow natural
ventilation. The house was constructed of iron posts, brick walls (one
meter high), wire netting above the bricks wall to the ceiling, corrugated
12
iron roof and concrete floor.
The experimental house consisted of two rows of 8 pens each. The
dimensions of each pen were 2x1 meters. Dry wood shaving was used as
litter material at a depth of 5cm. Each pen was equipped with one flat
feeding tray for the first few days, and then replaced by a tube feeder. A
fountain drinker was supplied and an electric bulb of 60 watts which was
used as a source of light and heat. The house was cleaned and disinfected
with formalin and burnt with fire before the commencement of
experiment.
3.5. Management and Experimental Procedure:
Before the arrival of chicks, clean water with little sugar was
provided to reduce the stress of transportation. The experimental chicks
were received in a holding pen inside the experimental house, and were
visually inspected for health, and then 160 chicks, of approximately
uniform size, were selected and used for the experiment. These were
randomized to the 16 experimental pens at the rate of ten chicks per each
pen.
The
experimental
diets
were
assigned
randomly
to
the
experimental pens at four replicates for each treatment. Feed and water
were offered adlibitum. At the end of the first and third weeks of age the
birds were vaccinated against New Castle disease, and at two weeks of
age they were vaccinated against Gumboro disease. The vaccination was
followed by administration of combined vitamins solution in drinking
water to reduce any stress caused by vaccination. The daily ambient
temperature of the experimental house was recorded, and the average
weekly temperature was recorded as in the appendix (1). Spraying around
13
the pens with water was occasionally done to reduce the heat intensity
and effects of high environmental temperature.
Feed consumption and live body weight were recorded weekly, for
each pen. Weekly body weight gain was then estimated by difference.
The feed conversion ratio was calculated also for individual replicate of
each treatment by dividing the weekly feed consumed by the respective
weekly body weight gain of each replicate.
At the end of the trial the birds were fasted from feed over night to
empty their digestive tract in order to reduce contamination of the carcass
by the ingesta. On slaughtering day, four birds' from each treatment were
randomly selected and weighed individually to determine the live weight.
They were then slaughtered, scalded in hot water and manually plucked.
The head and legs were then removed and the carcass was eviscerated.
The eviscerated carcasses were then weighed, and the dressing out
percentage was calculated, as follows:
Hot carcass weight
X 100%
Live weight
The abdominal fat was extracted and weighed separately for each
carcass. Also the viscera and livers of carcasses were extracted and
weighed separately. Four blood samples, from the live birds selected
from each treatment, were collected and used to determine the blood
glucose level according to enzymatic colorimetric method using (CHODPAP) according to Trinaer, (1969).
14
3.6. Statistical Analysis:
The data obtained for the experimental treatments; (feed
consumption, live weight, body weight again, feed conversion ratio,
dressing out percentage, livers and viscera weight, abdominal fat content
and blood glucose level) were collected and statistically analyzed using
least squares analysis of variance. The soft ware used was the statistical
package for social sciences (SPSS)(Steel, Torrie and Dickey, 1997).
Differences between means were tested using Duncan's multiple range
tests.
15
Table (1)
The Ingredient composition of the experimental diets (percent)
Ingredient
Molasses%
Experimental Diets
1
2
3
4
0
5
10
15
Sorghum
59.82
55.0
50.0
44.75
Groundnuts meal
15.0
16.25
18.0
19.25
Sesame meal
9.72
9.75
9.7
10.25
Wheat bran
7.64
6.56
4.8
3.1
Super concentrate*
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Common salt
0.30
0.25
0.25
0.25
Dicalcium Phosphate
1.86
1.75
1.75
1.75
L-lysine
0.15
-
-
-
Dl-methionine
0.11
-
0.01
0.05
Vegetable oil
0.50
0.44
0.49
0.60
Total
100
100
100
100
* Super concentrate composition:
(ME (Kcal/kg): 1950, CP: 40%, Lysine: 12% meth: 3%, Ca: 10%, P: 4%)
16
Table (2)
Calculated and proximate analyses of the experimental diets.
A. Calculated analysis (percent).
Items
Experimental Diets
1
2
3
4
Molasses%
0%
5%
10%
15%
Metabolize energy
3194
3191
3191
3191
Crude protein
22.88
22.82
22.82
22.82
L. lysine
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
DL.Methionine
0.49
0.44
0.44
0.48
Calcium
1.26
1.28
1.33
1.38
AV.phosphorus
0.66
0.64
0.64
0.64
139.9 : 1
140.3 : 1
140.3 :1
140.3 : 1
(Kcal/Kg)
Calori : Protein ratio
B. proximate analysis (percent).
Items
Experimental Diets
1
2
3
4
Molasses%
0%
5%
10%
15%
Dry matter
95.00
95.18
94.84
95.16
Crude protein
23.28
23.28
25.28
24.65
Crude fiber
10.05
9.13
8.50
8.22
Ash
7.04
6.30
10.06
8.90
Fat
5.08
6.08
6.36
6.06
17
CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULTS
The performance of the experimental birds on the different dietary
treatments is summarized in table (3) and figure (1-a). The data present
the total mean feed consumption, final body weight, final body weight
gain and feed conversion ratio for the whole six weeks experimental
period. The weekly performance of the experimental birds is shown in
tables (4, 5, 6, and 7) and figures (2, 3, 4 and 5).
The data on the carcass parameters, (dressing out percentage,
abdominal fat content, blood glucose level, liver and viscera weights) are
summarized in table 9 and figure 6.
It can be seen that there are significant differences (P< 0.01) in the
mean total feed consumption of the experimental birds. The highest total
feed consumption was attained by the group of birds fed diet 4 containing
15% molasses (3000g/bird), followed by the group fed diet 2 containing
5% molasses then diet 3 containing 10% molasses and the lowest total
feed consumption was attained by the group of birds fed the control diet
without molasses, table (3) and figure (1-a).
The dietary treatments had significant effects (P< 0.01) on the final
live weight of the experimental birds. table (3) and figure (1-a).The
highest final live weight (1567.5 g/bird) was attained by the birds fed diet
(4) with 15% molasses, and the lowest final live weight was attained by
the birds fed the control diet without molasses. The group of birds fed
diet (3) with 10% molasses showed an increase in final live weight
compared to the group of birds fed diet (2) with 5% molasses but the
18
increase did not attain statistical significance.
The body weight gain of the experimental birds followed the same
pattern of the final live weight. The differences in body weight gain were
statistically significant (P< 0.01). The highest body weight gain was
attained by the birds fed diet (4), followed by the birds fed diet (3) and
then diet (2); and the lowest body weight gain was attained by the group
of birds fed the control diet with no molasses, table (3) and figure(1-a).
The data on mean feed conversion ratio shown in table (3) and
figure (1-b), show significant effects (P< 0.05) among the dietary
treatments. The lowest feed conversion ratio (1.96) was obtained by the
birds fed diet (3) with 10% molasses, and the highest FCR (2.20) was
obtained by the birds fed the control diet without molasses; whereas there
was no significant difference between the FCR of the birds fed diet (2)
containing 5% molasses and diet (1) containing no molasses.
It can be noticed that the experimental treatments didn't have
effects on mortality. Only two chicks died during the course of the
experiment, and the cause of death can not be related to the experimental
treatments.
19
Table (3).
Summary table of the performance of the experimental birds
(g/bird/6weeks) as affected by the dietary molasses.
Experimental Treatment
Parameters
1
2
3
4
SE±
Number of birds
40
40
40
40
-
-
44.75
45.0
44.25
45.0
-
-
2366.05a 2832.75bc 2730.65b 3000.38c
74.37
**
1110.15a 1396.25b
1436.25b 1567.50c
50.62
**
1065.40a 1351.25b 1392.00bc 1522.50c
47.83
**
Initial weight(g/bird)
Total feed
Sig
consumption(g/bird/
6week)
Final live
weight(g/bird)
Final body weight
gain (g/bird)
Feed conversion
2.20c
2.10c
1.96a
2.00ab
.037
*
2.50
0.00
2.50
0.00
0.00
-
ratio(g feed intake:g
weight gain)
Mortality %
Values are means of 40 chicks/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant.
NS not statistically significant.
* Statistically significant (P<0.05).
** Statistically significant (P<0.01).
SE. standard error of the means.
20
3500
g/bird
3000
2500
0%m
2000
5%m
1500
10%m
1000
15%m
500
0
Total feed
intake
Final body
weight
Final weight
gain
Fig:(1:a)Total feed intake, Final body weight, and Final weight
Feed conversion ratio
gain of the experimental bird as affected by the dietary molasses.
2.25
2. 2
2.15
2. 1
2.05
2
1.95
1. 9
1.85
1. 8
1.75
0%m
5%m
10%m
15%m
Experimental diets
Fig (1-b): Total feed conversion ratio of the experimental birds as
affected by the dietary molasses.
21
The total nutrients intake of the experimental birds followed the
same pattern of total feed intake, table (4). It can be seen that the addition
of molasses to the diets had statistically significant effects on the total
nutrients intake. The control diet showed the lowest nutrients intake,
whereas diet 4 (15%m) showed the highest nutrients intake. The highest
ME and crude protein intake were attained by the birds fed diet 4 (15%m)
(9595.8kcal) and (684.7g) respectively; and the lowest ME and protein
intake were attained by the birds fed the control diet (7575.8kcal) and
(541.7g) respectively. The ME and protein intake by the birds fed diet 2
(5%m) was slightly increased over the intake by the birds fed diet 3
(10%m), and was slightly decreased from the intake by the birds fed diet
4 (15%m), but the increases and decreases did not reach statistical
significance.
The lysine and methionine consumption showed similar results,
being significantly affected by addition of dietary molasses. The highest
intake of these nutrients was attained by the birds fed diet 4 (15%m),
33.1and 14.6 g respectively; whereas the lowest lysine and methiomine
intake were attained by birds fed diet 1 (0%m) 24.98 and 10.5 g
respectively. The birds fed diet 2 (5%m) and diet 3 (10% m) did not show
significant differences in the consumption of these nutrients.
The consumption of calcium and available phosphorus followed
the same pattern of lysine and methionine consumption. The highest level
of consumption of both nutrients was attained by the birds fed on the
highest molasses diet, and the lowest consumption was attained by the
birds fed the control diet without molasses.
22
Table (4).
Total feed and nutrients consumption of the experimental birds
(g/bird/6week)as affected by the dietary molasses.
Parameters
Dietary molasses levels
Treatments
T1
T2
T3
T4
0%
5%
10%
15%
2366.05a 2832.75bc 2730.56b 3000.38c
SE±
Sig
74.38
**
7575.62a 9061.12bc 8733.98b 9595.80c 239.34
**
Crude protein(g)
541.35a
646.72bc
623.13b
684.67c
17.28
**
Lysine(g)
24.99a
29.90b
28.78b
33.09c
0.78
**
Methionine(g)
10.48a
12.45b
12.12b
14.55c
0.33
**
Calcium(g)
29.74a
36.28b
36.21b
41.48c
0.96
**
AV.phosphorus(g)
15.81a
18.29b
17.50abc
19.17c
0.60
**
Total feed
consumption(g)
Total ME
consumption(Kcal)
Values are means of 40 birds/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant.
**statistically significant (P<0.01)
SE. Standard error of the means.
23
The weekly feed consumption of the experimental birds is
presented in table (5) and figure (2). It can be seen that there were
significant differences among the weekly feed consumption rates
throughout the six weeks of the experiment. Feed consumption during the
first, 2nd and 3rd weeks showed the same pattern. The highest feed
consumption was attained by the birds fed diet 4 (15%m) and the lowest
feed consumption was attained by the birds fed the control diet (1); while
the groups of birds fed diet (2) and diet (3) showed slight differences in
their consumption rate which were not significant. During the 3rd, 5th and
6th weeks, the group of birds fed the control diet had the lowest weekly
feed consumption, which was significantly lower (P<0.01) than the
consumption of the other groups of birds. The highest weekly feed
consumption was attained by the group of birds fed diet 4 (15%m), which
was slightly higher than the consumption by the groups fed diet 3
(10%m) or diet 2 (5%m). In the 4th week of the experiment the group of
birds fed diet 4 (15%m) and diet 2 (5%m) had significantly higher feed
consumption than the groups of birds fed diet 1 (control diet) and diet 3
(10%m). The highest feed consumption was attained by the group fed
diet 4 followed by the birds fed diet 2 and then the birds fed diet 3, and
the lowest feed intake was obtained by the group of birds fed the control
diet.
It can be noticed that there was a progressive increase in weekly
feed consumption with the increased inclusion level of molasses in the
diet.
24
Table (5):
Weekly feed consumption of the experimental bird (g/bird/week).
Experimental Treatments
Weeks
1
2
3
4
SE ±
Sig
1
65.88a
77.25b
77.50b
100.63c
2.37
**
2
201.95a
263.75b
252.25b
295.00c
7.65
**
3
340.00a
403.75b
404.50b
445.00b
12.86
**
4
541.42a
629.00b
523.20a
636.25b
17.28
**
5
612.07a
723.25b
718.90b
745.75b
22.21
**
6
604.73a
735.75b
754.30b
777.75b
30.26
**
Values are means of 40 birds/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant.
**statistically significant (P<0.01).
SE. Standard error of the mean.
25
Feed consumption (g/ bird)
900
800
700
600
500
0%m
400
5%m
300
10%m
200
15%m
100
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ag (weeks)
Fig (2) weekly mean feed consumption of the experimental birds as
affected by the dietary molasses
26
The weekly live weight of the experimental birds is presented in
table (6) and figure (3). It can be seen that there were significant effects
(P<0.01) in all the weeks of the experiment. In the 1st week the group of
birds fed on diet 4 (15%m) had significantly higher (P< 0.05) mean live
weight (98.75g/bird) than the other groups, this was followed by the
mean live weight of the group fed diet 3 (10%m) which was slightly
higher than that of birds fed diet 2 (5%m), and the lowest mean live
weight was attained by the birds fed the control diet. In the 2nd week,
there were also significant differences (P< 0.01) on the mean live weight
of the experimental birds. The highest mean live weight was achieved by
the group of birds fed diet 4 (15%m), which was slightly higher than that
of birds fed diet 3 (10%m), which was slightly higher than that of birds
fed diet 2 (5%m); and the lowest mean live weight was attained by the
group of birds fed the control diet (1).
In the 3rd and 4th weeks of the experiment the birds fed diet 4
(15%m), diet 3 (10%m) and diet 2 (5%m) attained significant increase
(P< 0.01) in live weight compared to the birds fed the control diet (1).
The birds fed diet 4 (15%m) had the highest mean live weight followed
by the birds fed on diets 3 and 2 which had similar mean live weight and
the lowest mean live weight was attained by the birds fed the control diet
without molasses.
The last two weeks of the experimental period showed significant
differences (P< 0.01) in mean live weight of the experimental birds. The
birds fed on diet 4 (15%m) attained the highest mean live weight which
was significantly different (P< 0.01) from other groups; while the birds
fed on the control diet (1) attained the lowest mean live weight. There
27
was no significant difference between the mean live weight of groups of
birds fed diet 3 (10%m) and diet 2 (5%m), although there was slight
increase in mean live weight of the birds fed diet 3 (10%m).
28
Table (6):
Weekly mean live weight of the experimental birds.
(g/bird/week) as affected by the dietary molasses.
Experimental Treatment
Week
1
6
2
3
SE ±
Sig
4
1
78.13
a
84.37ab
87.37b
98.75c
2.44
**
2
167.92a
203.75b
215.00bc
228.75c
5.78
**
3
315.00a
402.50b
402.50b
441.25b
12.80
**
4
559.97a
711.25b
721.12b
773.75b
21.77
**
5
824.22a
1024.75b
1048.40b
1142.00c
27.68
**
1110.15a
1396.25b
1436.25b
1592.50c
50.62
**
Values are means of 40 birds/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant
**Statistically significant (P<0.01).
SE. Standard error of the means.
29
1800
Live weight (g/ bird)
1600
1400
1200
1000
0%m
800
5%m
600
10%m
400
15%m
200
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Age (weeks)
Fig. (3): Weekly mean live weight of the experimental birds
as affected by the dietary molasses
30
The data of weekly mean body weight gain was presented in table
(7) and figure (4), which reveal significant differences (P< 0.01) during
all weeks of the experiment. The highest live weight gain during all the
experimental weeks was obtained by the birds fed diet 4 (15%m);
whereas the lowest weight gain was obtained by the birds fed the control
diet. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th weeks of the experimental period showed the
same pattern, there was a significant decrease in live weight gain of the
birds fed the control diet compared to the other groups, while in the 1st
and 5th weeks the bird fed diet 4 (15%m) showed the highest live weight
gain, while the birds fed the control diet attained the lowest live weight
gain; whereas the birds fed diet 3 (10%m) was slightly higher than that of
the birds fed diet 2 (5%m).
The data on mean weekly feed conversion ratio of the experimental
birds is presented in table (8) and figure (5). It can be seen that the
experimental diets had significant effects on weekly feed conversion ratio
during the period from 4th to 6th weeks; during this period the birds fed on
the control diet showed significant increase in FCR, whereas the birds fed
on diet 4 (15%m) showed significant decrease in FCR. In the 1st, 2nd and
3rd weeks of the experimental period, the experimental diets had no
significant effects in the feed conversion ratio.
31
Table (7):
Weekly mean body weight gain of the experimental birds.
(g/bird/week) as affected by the dietary molasses.
Sig
Experimental Treatment
Week
6
1
2
3
4
SE ±
1
33.38a
39.38ab
43.13b
52.75c
2.25
**
2
89.80a
119.38b
127.63b
130.00b
3.96
**
3
147.08a
198.75b
187.50b
212.50b
9.45
**
4
244.98a
308.74b
318.60b
332.50b
11.28
**
5
264.25a
313.50b
327.30b
368.25c
10.01
**
285.93a
371.50b
387.85b
425.50b
23.24
**
Values are means of 40 birds/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant (P<0.01)
**Statistically significant (P<0.01).
SE. Standard error of the means.
32
Live weight gain (g/ bird)
450
400
350
300
250
0%m
200
5%m
150
10%m
100
15%m
50
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Age (weeks)
Fig (4): Weekly mean live weight gain of the experimental birds.
as affected by the dietary molasses.
33
Table (8):
Weekly feed conversion ratio of the experimental birds as affected
by the dietary molasses.
Experimental Treatment
4
SE ±
Sig
1.80
1.89
.07
NS
2.21
1.98
2.28
.09
NS
2.33
2.05
2.17
2.10
.11
NS
4
2.22c
2.04bc
1.64a
1.92b
.05
**
5
2.32b
2.30b
2.19ab
2.03a
.06
*
6
2.12b
2.00ab
1.95ab
1.85a
.06
*
Week
1
2
3
1
1.97
1.98
2
2.26
3
Values are means of 40 birds/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant.
NS. not statistically significant.
*Statistically significant (P<0.05).
**statistically significant (P<0.01).
SE. Standard error of the means.
34
feed conversion ratio
2.5
2
0%m
1.5
5%m
10%m
1
15%m
0.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Age (week)
Fig (5): Weekly feed conversion ratio of the experiment birds as
affected by the dietary molasses
35
The data of the carcass parameters is summarized in table (9) and
figure (6). It can be seen that the dietary treatments had no significant
effects on the carcass parameters, expect for abdominal fat (P< 0.05). The
highest abdominal fat content was attained by the birds fed diet 4
(15%m) (35g/bird), and the lowest abdominal fat was attained by the
group fed diet 1 (0%m) (22g/bird); whereas there were no significant
differences between the groups fed diet 3 (10%m) and diet 2 (5%m).
On the other hand, the highest dressing out percentage was attained
by the group of birds fed diet 4 (15%m) (71.95%) followed by group fed
diet 3 (10%m), then the group fed diet 2 (5%m), and the lowest dressing
out percentage was obtained by the birds fed the control diet (69.65%).
The highest blood glucose level was obtained by the birds fed the
control diet (1) (203.44mg/100ml) followed by the birds fed diet 3
(10%m), then the group fed diet 4 (15%m) and lowest blood glucose
level was attained by the birds fed diet 2 (5%m) (169.59mg/100ml).
The dietary treatments had no significant effects on the liver or
viscera weights. The highest liver weight was obtained by the birds fed
the control diet (44.5g), and the lowest weight was attained by the group
of birds fed diet 3 (10%m) (35.5g). The highest viscera weight was
attained by the birds fed diet 4 (15%m) (194.5g/bird), and the lowest
viscera weight was attained by the birds fed diet 3 (10%m) (171g/bird).
36
Table (9).
Summary table of the carcass parameters of the experimental birds.
(g/bird) as affected by the dietary molasses.
Experimental Treatment
Parameters
1
2
3
4
SE ±
Sig
69.76
70.53
71.58
71.95
0.92
NS
22.00a
28.00ab
23.50ab
35.00b
3.50
*
203.44
169.59
193.82
186.59
13.50
NS
Liver weight(g/bird)
44.50
42.50
35.50
43.50
3.62
NS
Viscera
174.00
189.50
171.00
194.50
9.87
NS
Dressing out
percentage
Abdominal fat
weight (g/bird)
Blood glucose
level(mg/100ml)
weight(g/bird)
Values are means of 40 chicks/treatment.
Values within the same row with different letters are statistically
significant
NS. not statistically significant.
* Statistically significant (P<0.05).
SE. standard error of the means.
37
250
g/bird
200
0% m
150
5% m
100
10% m
15% m
50
Viscera
weight
Liver weight
Blood
glucose
Abdominal
fat
Dressing
out
percentage
0
Fig (6): Dressing out percentage, blood glucose, abdominal fat
weight, and liver and viscera weights as affected by the dietary
molasses.
38
Cost of feeding:
The cost of feed consumed by the experimental birds and the cost
of Kg body weight gain are shown in table (10). It can be seen that the
cost of total feed consumed and the total cost per Kg body weight gain
decreased by increasing levels of molasses in the diet. The birds
receiving the diet contained 15%molasses had the lowest cost of total
feed consumed per bird and the lowest feed cost per Kg body weight
gain.
39
Table (10)
Feeding Cost of the experimental birds as affected by the
dietary molasses.
Items
Treatment
1
2
3
4
2.366
2.833
2.731
3.000
Price of Kg feed(SDG)
769.39
738.42
727.65
722.34
Cost of total feed
1820.38
2091.94
1987.21
2167.02
1.7
1.5
1.4
1.4
Total feed
consumption/Kg/bird
consumed(SDG)/bird
Cost of Kg body weight
gain(SDG)
40
CHAPTER FIVE
5. DISCUSSION
Molasses is considered a cheap source of energy for animal
feeding compared to the value of cereal grains. For this reason it has been
used in large scale as animal feed, especially for ruminants. The use of
molasses in poultry diets is, however, limited due to its laxative effects
and toxicity when used at high levels in the diet. In the present study,
cane molasses was incorporated in broilers experimental diets at different
levels; diet 1 was a control diet with no molasses, diet 2 contained 5%
molasses, diet 3 contained 10% molasses and diet 4 contained 15%
molasses. The experimental diets were formulated from the local
available feed ingredients in a way to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous and to
meet NRC nutrients requirements for the broiler chick.
Incorporation of molasses in broiler diets resulted in improved
performance of the experimental birds with regard to all the productive
parameters. Similar results were obtained by Horland (1995), who
indicated, that the experimental birds performed well on balanced diets
containing up to 20% molasses. However the results disagree with that of
Lesson and summers (1998) whose research work indicated that the
maximum safe dietary inclusion levels of molasses in diets for young
birds(0-4week) is 1%.
The present study revealed a progressive and significant increase in
feed consumption with increasing level of molasses in the experimental
diets. The highest feed consumption level was obtained by the birds fed
the highest level of molasses in the diet; whereas the lowest levels of feed
41
consumption was obtained by the birds fed the control diet, without
molasses. This increased level of feed intake can be attributed to the
palatability effects of molasses, and its effects in improving the physical
condition of the diet. This result is in agreement with the work of Sharma
and Paliwal (1973) and Connor, et al (1972), who reported that
increasing the level of molasses in bird diets tends to increase feed
consumption. Similarly Abdel Rhman, (1984) showed that, increasing
cane molasses level in broiler diets increased feed consumption, but the
magnitude of the increase was not statistically significant. On the other
hand, Khalid, et al. (2007a) reported contradicting results, that
incorporation of cane molasses in broiler diets above 4% decreased feed
intake.
The progressive increase of feed intake from the diets with higher
levels of molasses in the present study was accompanied by progressive
increases in final live weight and body weight gain of the experimental
birds. This effect can be attributed to the increased intake of ME and
other nutrients which would promote growth and improve feed efficiency
(Sadago Pan et al, 1971; Pesti and Smith, 1984). The present result is in
agreement with that of Connor et al, (1972), Satava et al (1981) and
kabuage et al (2000) who agreed that incorporation of molasses up to
20% in the broiler chick diet could be used without a reduction in body
weight gain.
The efficiency of feed utilization was highly improved with
increasing molasses levels in the diet. This effect was, however, not
significant during the first three weeks of age of the experimental chicks,
whereas, during the last three weeks of the experimental period feed
42
efficiency was significantly affected. This result, however, disagree with
many reports in the literature that the inclusion of molasses in broiler
diets had no significant effect on feed efficiency (Abd Rhman, 1984;
Khalid, et al. 2007a).
In the present study the use of molasses in broiler diets had no
significant effect on blood glucose level; this finding is in general
agreement with that of Khalid et al (2007b) that the cane molasses had no
effect on blood glucose of layers. Also the dressing out percentage of the
experimental birds was not affected by molasses levels in the diet. This is
in agreement with the reports of Abdel Rhman, (1984) and Khalid, et al.
(2007a). In the present study the dressing percentage tended to increase
slightly by increasing molasses levels in the diets.
Incorporation of high levels of molasses generally induces change
(increase) in the digestive organs (Ly and Mollineda, 1984; Alvarez,
1976b). In the present study, the incorporation of high levels of molasses
induced slight increases in liver and viscera weights. The dietary
molasses had also significant effects on increasing the abdominal fat,
similar to many reported results; this can be attributed to the large
amount of energy intake, or to the presence of large quantities of readily
digestible sugars in molasses.
It is, however, evident that under the condition of the present
study, cane molasses can be utilized effectively in broiler feeding to
replace partially sorghum grain. This practice would improve broiler
performance and reduce the cost of feeding. However, it has to be noted
that further research work would be required to determine the upper limit
of their use under our local conditions.
43
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52
Appendix:
Table :( 1)
The determined average ambient temperature during the
experimental period. (°c)
Weeks
Min
Max
1
20°c
34°c
2
19.5
34
3
25
41
4
19
39
5
20
39
6
19
41
53
Table :( 2)
Chemical composition of molasses form Sudanese sugar
factories:
Chemical
Halfa
Kenana
Assalia
Elginid
Sinar
D.M.
76.37
81.23
81.27
80.82
82.06
C.P
1.81
1.45
1.72
1.72
1.52
E.E
0.7
0.32
0.7
0.40
0.36
Ash
8.28
7.75
10.31
8.85
9.02
N.F.E
65.58
71.71
68.52
68.85
71.18
Ca
0.67
0.6
1.07
0.65
0.93
Mg
0.37
0.32
0.26
0.34
0.46
P
0.83
0.82
0.72
0.88
0.72
K
2.87
2.86
2.46
3.39
1.39
Source: (Mohammed, 1998).
54