NUTRITIONAL-EVALUATION OF SORGHUM GERM MEAL AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SORGHUM IN BROILER DIETS

Sorghum germ meal (SGM) samples were analysed for proximate compositio n and then fed to broiler chicks as a substitute for sorghum, on an is oenergetic basis. At the lowest levels of inclusion SGM replaced 0, 25 and 50% and at the highest levels 75 and 100% of sorghum apparent met abolizable energy (AME). On average, SGM contained 989.8 g kg(-1) dry matter, 126 g kg(-1) crude protein, 280 g kg(-1) ether extract, 45.4 g kg(-1) crude fibre, 39.39 g kg(-1) ash, 0.1 g kg(-1) calcium, 0.4 g k g(-1) phosphorus, 2250 mg (100 g)(-1) phytic acid equivalent and 17.92 MJ kg(-1) calculated metabolizable energy. Increasing SGM inclusion r esulted in increasing dietary crude fibre and phytic acid content. Inc reased dietary SGM levels resulted in a linear reduction in body weigh t (P<0.01) and weight gain (P<0.05), and a decrease in feed intake. Th e feed:gain ratio showed a linear increase (P< 0.01). Dressing percent age, pancreas and abdominal fat relative weights showed a linear incre ase (P< 0.01) in response to increase in SGM. Bursa relative weight wa s not influenced by dietary SGM inclusion. Replacement of more than 25 % of sorghum AME with SGM AME resulted in poor broiler performance.