Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of "Masakwa" sorghum in place of maize as energy sources in broiler diets on gut and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. Methods: Five (5) diets were formulated in which "Masakwa" Sorghum variety (MSV) replaced maize at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% levels coded as diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. One-hundred-and-fifty-day old broiler chicks were brooded and randomly allotted into the five dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the experiment lasted 8 weeks, On the last day of the experiment 3 birds were slaughtered from each replicate, bled, eviscerated and dressed. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the methods outlined by Steel and Torrie (1980) Samples of the experimental feeds were analysed for their proximate composition using the methods of AOAC (2000). Results: The dressing percentage ranged from 68.15 - 85.07% and were significantly different Prime cuts showed that drumstick (P<0.05) and wing (P<0.01) were affected by the dietary levels. The values ranged from 4.79 - 10.63 % and 3.19 - 9.39% However, live weight, dressed weight, breast, back, neck and other organs such as head, liver, intestine, caeca, lungs and heart indicate no significant difference (P greater than 0.05). The intestiunal length fell within the values of 4.58 - 5.78% and the weight of the heart was 0.44 - 0.58%. Conclusions: The study revealed that using "Masakwa" Sorghum Variety (MSV) to replace maize had no adverse effect on the carcass and Gut characteristics of broiler chicken. Sorghum can replace maize completely in broiler diets for optimum carcass yield and quality as well as normal gut morphology.