Dry sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) molasses for feeding broilers in different growth phases

This study analyzed the effects of adding dry sugar cane molasses (MC) to the feed of broiler chickens, and determining the economic feasibility of use of this type of diet; 240 male Ross race broiler chickens, one day in age, were utilized in this study. The experimental design was randomized with 6 treatments and 6 replicates per treatment, each one of which included 10 birds. The treatments included 6 feed types (T1-T6) in the initial step (1-21 days) and 6 diets (T1-T6) in the final step (22-42 days) with substitution of corn meal by dry MC at increasing levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%. All the birds received water and food ad libitum during the whole growth step; the diets were iso proteic and iso-caloric. The analysis of variance both at 21 days and at 42 days of age of the chickens showed significant differences (P<0,01) in the average increase weights of the birds, in their average food consumption, and in mean food conversion. The results showed that it was possible to use up to 15% MC in broiler feed, obtaining an improved economic return over the conventional diet. © 2007 Centro de Información Tecnológica.