Kaijage J.T., Mutayoba S.K., Katule A., Kakengi A.M.V.
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Department of Animal Production and Marketing Infrastructures, P.O. Box 9152, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box, Morogoro, Tanzania; Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
Kaijage, J.T., Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Department of Animal Production and Marketing Infrastructures, P.O. Box 9152, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; Mutayoba, S.K., Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box, Morogoro, Tanzania; Katule, A., Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box, Morogoro, Tanzania; Kakengi, A.M.V., Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
The effects of supplementing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and molasses to grain sorghum based diets on performance of growing chicks was studied in a 2x3 factorial design for 8 weeks. The study used two grain sorghum varieties: high (HTS) and low (LTS) tannin; three supplementary strategies of non-supplemented, 10% DM- molasses and 10% DM-MOLM to make six diets, CTL1, SCM2., MOL1 and CTL2, SCM2 and MOL2 respectively.Survival, colour of body parts, growth parameters and feed conversion ratio were not influenced by type of sorghum. The DMI was higher in HTS and leg abnormality incidence (LAI) was higher in LTS. Survival and growth parameters were not influenced by type of supplementation. The supplementation of molasses aggravated, while supplementation of MOLM prevented, occurrence of LAI. The birds fed molasses showed paleness but those fed MOLM showed yellowing of body parts. The DMI and FCR were better in birds fed CTL1 compared with fed CTL2 based diets. Supplementation of molasses and MOLM improved DMI and FCR in HTS compared with LTS. HTS based diets in growing chicks should be supplemented with energy sources, minerals and pigments; while LTS based diets should be supplemented with minerals and pigments. Sugar cane molasses improves FCR in HTS but requires supplementation of minerals and pigments.Use of molasses as an additive to LTS based could impair FCR and aggravate LAI and is not recommended. The use of MOLM in HTS and LTS based diets can improve FCR and prevent prevalence of LAI and has the potential to produce coloured products. © 2014, Fundacion CIPAV. All right reserved.