Effect of Using Different Levels of Sweet Potato Tubers as a Source of Energy on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chicken

An experiment had been carried out to examine the suitability of using different levels of sweet potato tubers as a source of energy on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. A total of ۱۵۰ one – day old, unsexed broiler chicks (Ross ۳۰۸ breed) with initial weight of approximately ۳۸g were distributed in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments. The diets formulated contained five levels of sweet potato and sorghum as the main source of energy at rates ۰%, ۱۵%, ۲۵% and ۴۰ % of the total rations + Standard ration (Kafi feed). Each group was subdivided into ۳ replicates with ten birds each. Data were analyzed by using SPSS ۲۲.۰ program package. The performance (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio) indicated a significant difference in starter, finisher and entire phase, except for weight gain in starter period and feed intake in finisher and entire periods. However, there were no significant differences observed in chemical composition of meat, carcass and carcass cuts except for drumstick. Serum chemistry and hematological parameters of broilers blood were not affected also, except for albumin. The result indicated that ۱۵% level of sweet potato tubers addition was the best in broiler performance especially body weight gain and feed intake which reflect desirable performance economically.An experiment had been carried out to examine the suitability of using different levels of sweet potato tubers as a source of energy on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. A total of ۱۵۰ one – day old, unsexed broiler chicks (Ross ۳۰۸ breed) with initial weight of approximately ۳۸g were distributed in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments. The diets formulated contained five levels of sweet potato and sorghum as the main source of energy at rates ۰%, ۱۵%, ۲۵% and ۴۰ % of the total rations + Standard ration (Kafi feed). Each group was subdivided into ۳ replicates with ten birds each. Data were analyzed by using SPSS ۲۲.۰ program package. The performance (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio) indicated a significant difference in starter, finisher and entire phase, except for weight gain in starter period and feed intake in finisher and entire periods. However, there were no significant differences observed in chemical composition of meat, carcass and carcass cuts except for drumstick. Serum chemistry and hematological parameters of broilers blood were not affected also, except for albumin. The result indicated that ۱۵% level of sweet potato tubers addition was the best in broiler performance especially body weight gain and feed intake which reflect desirable performance economically.

Keywords:

Sweet potato tubers , Kafi feed , Broiler performance , Carcass Characteristics