Effect of Different Levels of Molasses Fed Through Drinking Water on Growth and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of molasses fed through drinking water on growth and economic performance of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty unsexed day old chicks of Anak strain were used. They were divided into four treatment groups with each group having four replicates of ten birds per replicate. Each group had forty birds, replicated into four with ten birds per replicate. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment 1(without molasses) served as the control. Treatment 2, 3 and 4 were fed 30, 50 and 70 g of molasses per litre of water, respectively. The birds were fed and watered ad libitun.The experiment lasted for 28 days each for starter and finisher phases. At the starter phase, 50 and 70 g/litre significantly improved live weight, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and water intake. During the finisher phase, live weight, daily gain, PER and water intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 50 and 70g/litre groups which also had better feed: gain ratio as compared to control. Revenue and gross margin were higher (P<0.05) in 50 and 70 g/litre group than the control and 30 g/litre.