USE OF SORGHUM GLUTEN FEED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SOYBEAN-MEAL IN LAYER DIETS

The effects of replacing soyabean meal protein with sorghum gluten fee d protein was investigated in diets of laying hens. Substitution of so yabean meal with sorghum gluten feed on a straight nitrogenous basis r educed (P < 0.01) the rate of egg laying and feed intake and increased the feed conversion ratio. There was no significant effect of sorghum gluten feed protein on mortality rate. From the analysis of sorghum g luten feed and the results of the feeding trial it appears that sorghu m gluten feed protein is not equivalent to soyabean meal protein but i t can replace 50% of the soyabean meal protein in the diets of laying hens on an economic basis.