THE FEEDING VALUE OF KENYAN SORGHUM, SUNFLOWER SEED CAKE AND SESAME SEED CAKE FOR BROILERS AND LAYERS

The feeding value of Kenyan sorghum, sunflower seed cake (SFC) and ses ame seed cake (SSC) was studied in an 8 week broiler trial and a 24 we ek layer trial, In both trials the diets were either white maize (Hb25 ) or brown sorghum (Serena) based and contained either imported soybea n meal (SBM), a combination of SFC and SBM, or SSC as the main protein source. In the broiler trial, mean weekly body weights were significa ntly higher for chicks fed the maize based diets, starting as early as the second week, At the end of the 8 week trial, however, the differe nce between the mean body weights for the two groups of broilers was n ot significantly different (2136 g vs, 2023 g for broilers on the maiz e and sorghum diets, respectively). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was no t significantly affected by grain type (2.72 vs. 2.76 for broilers on the maize and sorghum diets, respectively). In the last 4 weeks of the broiler trial, mean weekly body weights were significantly higher for chicks fed SSC diets than for those receiving SBM diets, By the end o f the 8 week trial the mean body weight of the broilers receiving the SSC diets was 12.1% higher (2212 g vs. 1972 g for broilers receiving t he SSC and SBM diets, respectively) than that of the broilers receivin g the SBM diets. FCR was significantly lower for chicks receiving the SSC diets (2.52) as compared to those receiving either the SBM or SFC/ SBM diet (2.86 and 2.88, respectively). In the layer trial, egg produc tion and feed efficiency were significantly lower for the hens receivi ng the sorghum based diets (64.7%) as compared to those receiving the maize based diets (70.9%), but average egg weight was not significantl y affected by grain type. Egg production, feed efficiency and egg weig ht were significantly lower for those hens receiving either the SFC/SB M or SSC diet than for those receiving the SBM diets. There was no eff ect of grain type or protein source on the incidence or severity of yo lk mottling.